On Sunday, December 13, Governor Andrew Cuomo was accused of sexual harassment by one of his former aides, Lindsey Boylan. Boylan has said that the governor had made multiple comments about her physical appearance during the time that they worked together.
The former aide went to social media to express her sentiments about the alleged workplace harassment tweeting, “Yes [Governor Cuomo] sexually harassed me for years. Many saw it, and watched. She then elaborated, writing, “I could never anticipate what to expect: would I be grilled on my work (which was very good) or harassed about my looks. Or would it be both in the same conversation?” Her statement has received just under 35,000 likes.
Governor Cuomo’s press secretary, Caitlin Girouard, quickly addressed Ms. Boylan’s accusations in conversation with the New York Times, saying that “there is simply no truth to these claims.” Ms. Boylan declined to make any further comments to the New York Times and has expressed that she is not interested in speaking with reporters about her claims.
Boylan later tweeted,” I have no interest in talking to journalists. I am about validating the experience of countless women and making sure abuse stops. My worst fear is that this continues.”
She also referred to the sexual battery lawsuit filed by singer FKA twigs against actor Shia LaBeouf. “And as [FKA twigs] said yesterday, my second worst fear is having to talk about and relive this,” Boylan wrote. This is not the first time Boylan has been vocal about the inner dealings of the governor’s office—in 2019 she accused Cuomo’s office of not accommodating the needs of working parents. She also wrote about her “endlessly dispiriting” experience working with Governor Cuomo earlier this year, describing the workspace as “beyond toxic” in a Twitter thread.
Boylan also remarked that President-elect Biden has his eyes on Governor Cuomo to serve as his attorney general, and that she is against the consideration.
Governor Cuomo was also accused of sexual harassment and assault by another former aide, Sam Hoyt, in 2018.
Governor Cuomo has denied Boylan’s claims.