Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has criticized President Biden for his handling of the migrant crisis following the expiration of the Title 42 border policy. The policy, which allowed the government to expel migrants due to public health concerns during the pandemic, expired on Thursday, leading to increased concerns about border security. Cuomo, a Democrat, voiced his concerns about the potential consequences of this change in an interview on Friday.
However, Cuomo’s criticism comes at a time when he himself is facing serious allegations. A settlement agreement has been reached between the Justice Department and the New York State Executive Chamber, which states that Cuomo subjected at least 13 female state employees to a sexually hostile work environment. The agreement resolves claims of sexual harassment and retaliation against Cuomo, with the nine-page document detailing instances of unwelcome sexual contact, “ogling,” and gender-based nicknames. It also states that Cuomo’s senior staff was aware of his behavior and retaliated against four women.
The settlement further claims that the response from the Executive Chamber was aimed at protecting Cuomo from further accusations rather than protecting employees from sexual harassment. Cuomo’s attorney, Rita Glavin, has strongly denied the allegations, stating that the DOJ investigation was based on a flawed and biased report by New York State Attorney General Letitia James. Cuomo is currently suing James for documents related to her 2021 investigation into the alleged sexual harassment, which ultimately led to his resignation in August 2021.
In response to the settlement, Cuomo’s spokesperson, Rich Azzopardi, dismissed the DOJ’s investigation as lacking credibility. On the other hand, Mariann Wang, an attorney representing two women who accused Cuomo of harassment, expressed satisfaction with the steps taken to address the issue and hoped that they would prevent similar abuses of power in the future.
As part of the settlement, Governor Kathy Hochul’s office will establish a new process for handling complaints against senior officials. This development aims to ensure that such incidents are properly addressed and prevented in the future.
This latest controversy surrounding Cuomo raises questions about his credibility as a critic of President Biden and his policies. While Cuomo’s criticism of the handling of the migrant crisis may be valid, his own misconduct allegations undermine his standing as a reliable voice on the matter. As the fallout from this settlement continues, it remains to be seen how it will impact Cuomo’s political future.
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