An attorney for one particular of the ladies accusing New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo of sexual harassment is declaring that the governor is interfering with a condition attorney typical investigation.
Debra Katz, who represents Cuomo accuser Charlotte Bennett, complained in a letter to New York Attorney Common Letitia James. It follows an Albany Times Union report that the administration was presenting attorneys to fulfill with staffers right before James’ workplace interviewed them, and even to accompany them to the interviews. Katz stated she comprehended that the lawyers were also “debriefing” staff members soon after the interviews.
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“This is very inappropriate and we object in the strongest probable terms to this evident interference with what you have stated would be a ‘thorough and independent’ investigation,” Katz wrote.
The administration attorneys’ noted involvement is portion of a “parallel investigation” Cuomo’s workplace is conducting, accoring to the Moments Union. A resource with the New York Legal professional General’s Workplace instructed the newspaper their business office did not direct Cuomo’s business office to conduct their possess probe.
Katz argued that getting attorneys from Cuomo’s business communicate with staff members could have a “chilling result on prospective witnesses or other accusers who desire to come ahead but concern position-connected retaliation” if they talk out. She claimed that she has now spoken to witnesses who advised her that they were frightened of going through retaliation “if they refuse to cooperate with the Government Chamber’s legal professionals” and felt “constrained” from speaking about Cuomo’s carry out and their perform setting in front of administration attorneys.
“We believe that that this present of counsel constitutes a deliberate attempt by the governor to interfere with your office’s investigation,” Katz claimed.
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Katz known as on James “to issue a directive to the governor to stop this remarkably incorrect apply,” proclaiming that this sort of a directive was “important to restore believability to this investigation” and to send a concept that the probe will keep on being “honest and untainted.”
Cuomo’s workplace informed the Periods Union that they have made very clear to staff members that they are welcome to employ the service of their individual lawyers rather of employing the kinds being presented.
Neither James’ office nor Cuomo’s immediately responded to Fox News’ request for comment on Katz’s letter.
Bennett has accused Cuomo of inquiring her about her sexual intercourse life and offering her the effect that he preferred to rest with her. Cuomo apologized, boasting he never ever intended to say anything at all offensive and “by no means realized at the time I was earning everyone come to feel not comfortable.”
In an job interview with CBS Information, Bennett turned down Cuomo’s apology.
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“It can be not an difficulty of my emotions … It truly is an problem of his steps,” Bennett said.
“The simple fact is that he was sexually harassing me and he has not apologized for sexually harassing me,” she extra.
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