Nearly four years after the #MeToo movement sparked a national reckoning on sexual harassment in the workplace, allegations against New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo have pushed the topic back in the spotlight.
Cuomo has been accused by two former female aides of inappropriate comments and behavior, prompting an investigation led by state Attorney General Letitia James. A third woman, Anna Ruch has made similar allegations, saying Cuomo placed his hand on her lower back at a wedding reception in 2019, grabbed her face, and asked if he could kiss her.
Cuomo apologized Wednesday during a news conference.
“I now understand that I acted in a way that made people feel uncomfortable,” he said. “It was unintentional, and I truly and deeply apologize for it.”
However, he said, “I never touched anyone inappropriately.”
Though the #MeToo movement led to the ouster of numerous prominent men working in Hollywood, journalism and corporate America, sexual harassment remains prevalent in the workplace as does retaliation against those who report it, legal advocates say.
But states continue to push laws aimed at rooting out such conduct. Some survivors of abuse in the workplace are winning relief from the courts. And experts say the fact that those who experience harassment continue to report it is another sign of the #MeToo movement’s positive impact.
