South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, a Republican, has released a statement condemning New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, after two more women came forward against him with allegations of sexual misconduct.
Former press aide Karen Hinton and former policy and operations aide Ana Liss are the fourth and fifth women, respectively, to bring accusations of uncomfortable inactions against Cuomo.
So, during an appearance with Fox News’ Jeanine Pirro on Saturday, Noem said enough is enough.
“He’s tried to cover up his actions throughout the COVID pandemic. He tried to cover up the damage done by what happened in nursing homes, the deaths that happened there. Now it appears as though he’s trying to cover up what has happened with these young women in his life as well,” Noem said, as the Washington Examiner reports.
So will NY State Democrat Senate Majority leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins finally call for Cuomo to resign? She specifically said this week that if a fourth accuser comes out he should resign… now we have a fourth and a fifth.
I assume there will be crickets. #LiberalPrivilege https://t.co/ssRoLt1HgU— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) March 7, 2021
The initial allegations were enough to spark an investigation, which began on Monday, but Democratic leadership including President Biden and Vice President Harris have not called for him to resign.
“Three women, including two former aides to Cuomo, aides have already come out with allegations against the governor in recent weeks, and a former journalist also accused his administration of harassment and manipulative tactics,” the Washington Examiner reports. “Cuomo’s director of communications denied the Washington Post’s report, calling Hinton ‘a known antagonist of the Governor’s who is attempting to take advantage of this moment to score cheap points with made-up allegations from 21 years ago.'”
More former aides to @NYGovCuomo are accusing him of harassment.
Peter Ajemian, Cuomo’s director of communications called one of his accusers "a known antagonist."
https://t.co/AETl1wxgdn— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) March 7, 2021
“The governor also apologized this week for making his accusers feel uncomfortable but denied ever inappropriately touching them,” the report adds.
Cuomo is consistently praised by his party, especially for his state’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic, and was once considered to be a candidate for the presidency.
These allegations and reports that Cuomo’s actions resulted in the unnecessary deaths of at least 15,000 elderly people have negatively impacted his reputation.
Cuomo sexual harassment scandal may be overshadowing NY's nursing home deaths, some critics worry https://t.co/N65hkvzJ2h
— Fox News (@FoxNews) March 7, 2021
The New York Post adds:
The mushrooming scandal has sparked repeated calls for investigation, Cuomo’s resignation and moved the state Legislature to finally revoke the governor’s emergency, pandemic-related powers.
Last month, former aide Lindsey Boylan detailed how Cuomo allegedly kissed her on the lips without warning in the governor’s Manhattan office.
Last week, Charlotte Bennett, 25, the second woman to step forward, revealed Cuomo had asked her inappropriate personal questions, told her he was open to relationships with women in their 20s, and left her feeling that he “wanted to sleep with me.”
Former Biden campaign worker Anna Ruch, 33, also came forward charging the governor gave her an unwanted kiss on the check at a Big Apple wedding, saying the 2019 encounter left her “confused and shocked and embarrassed.”
Last night more women came out against @andrewcuomo. My guess is that they’ll keep coming!
The Biden Admin still hasn’t called for him to step down.
Feminists, how does it make you feel that the first female VP doesn’t believe these women?
🤔
— Alex Bruesewitz (@alexbruesewitz) March 7, 2021