In a recent announcement, the Department of Justice revealed that former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed 13 women who worked for the state during his eight-year term. The findings were part of a civil rights settlement with Cuomo's successor.

According to the Justice Department, Cuomo and his staff were involved in a "pattern or practice of discrimination against female employees based on sex." They also found evidence of retaliation against the victims. The former governor allegedly subjected women in his office to non-consensual sexual contact, ogling, and gender-based nicknames. The investigation further concluded that top Cuomo staff had knowledge of the conduct and retaliated against four of the women who were harassed.

Kristen Clarke, the assistant attorney general in the agency's civil rights division, criticized the "especially egregious" behavior in the Governor's Executive Chamber, highlighting the significant power differential and the lack of avenues for the victims to report and address the harassment.

Cuomo's resignation in August 2021 followed a separate report from the state Attorney General Tish James, which found that he had sexually harassed 11 women, including two who were not state employees. Since taking office, Cuomo's successor, Governor Hochul, has implemented several reforms to address these issues.

While Cuomo has continuously denied any wrongdoing, district attorneys declined to bring charges against him, including an allegation of groping a former aide at the governor's mansion. Cuomo has also accused James' investigation of inflating the number of women who accused him.

The DOJ report, unlike James' report, did not provide specific details of the allegations against Cuomo. It remains uncertain how much federal investigators relied on James' findings to reach their conclusions. Moreover, the legal agreement signed to settle the matter states that it "shall not constitute an adjudication or finding on the merits of the case."

Cuomo's attorney, Rita Glavin, dismissed the DOJ investigation, claiming it was based solely on James' report, which she criticized as flawed and biased. Cuomo's spokesperson, Rich Azzopardi, also criticized both James and the DOJ report, calling the settlement agreement "not worth the paper it's printed on." However, James' office stated that the DOJ report confirmed their own findings.

Cuomo, who has been facing multiple lawsuits since leaving office, has been using a lawsuit filed against him by a former member of his State Police security detail to seek depositions from the women involved in James' report. His lawyers argue that this is necessary to adequately defend him, but accusers' attorneys assert that it is a tactic to retraumatize them.

Lindsey Boylan, the first woman to publicly accuse Cuomo, expressed her response to the new report, emphasizing that the incidents did happen and calling out the "huge bureaucracy" that tried to bury the truth.

Although Cuomo has not ruled out another run for elected office, his potential candidacy for New York City mayor depends on whether incumbent Democrat Eric Adams participates in the race