The sexual harassment scandal engulfing New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo intensified over the weekend after a second former staffer alleged he behaved inappropriately.
In a statement Sunday afternoon, that was his most detailed response yet to allegations that he sexually harassed two staffers, the three-term Democrat said he jokes with his staffers and apologized if any of his comments were “misinterpreted as an unwanted flirtation.”
Cuomo, facing increasing criticism of his fumbled attempts to hand the issue off to an independent investigator, admitted Sunday evening that he likes to “tease people” in the office.
“I now understand that my interactions may have been insensitive or too personal and that some of my comments, given my position, made others feel in ways I never intended,” Cuomo said. “I acknowledge some of the things I have said have been misinterpreted as an unwanted flirtation. To the extent anyone felt that way, I am truly sorry about that.”
The remarks came as Cuomo’s office made its third proposal in less than 24 hours about how to conduct an independent investigation into his office after a second former staffer told The New York Times on Saturday night that Cuomo had harassed her.
Cuomo and state Attorney General Tish James appeared to agree on a referral that would allow James’ office to open a probe of the charges and hire an outside attorney. Cuomo's move came after New York's top state legislative leaders, both Democrats, made it clear on Saturday night that they supported an independent investigation, and that governor's original proposal didn't fit that description.
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