New York City, December 11, 2024 — Charlotte Bennett, a former aide to ex-New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, has voluntarily withdrawn her federal lawsuit accusing Cuomo of sexual harassment. This decision comes just days before Bennett was scheduled to give a deposition as part of the proceedings.
In a public statement, Bennett cited two primary reasons for withdrawing the lawsuit: the extensive financial burden imposed on taxpayers to fund Cuomo’s legal defense and the emotional toll of the protracted legal battle. “I cannot, in good conscience, continue to subject taxpayers to the massive costs of his defense,” she stated, referring to the reported $25 million spent in public funds for Cuomo’s legal expenses. Bennett also expressed frustration over the emotional strain the case had caused.
Cuomo’s legal team welcomed the dismissal, describing Bennett’s allegations as baseless and suggesting that her decision was motivated by an unwillingness to confront contradictory evidence during deposition. “The withdrawal of this lawsuit speaks volumes about the merit of these claims,” Cuomo’s attorney stated in a press release.
Bennett, who worked as a health policy advisor to Cuomo, initially accused the former governor of making sexually inappropriate comments and assigning her demeaning tasks during her tenure. Her allegations were part of a broader wave of claims that eventually led to Cuomo’s resignation in August 2021. An independent investigation by the New York State Attorney General’s Office had concluded that Cuomo sexually harassed multiple women, findings that Cuomo has consistently denied.
This latest development has reignited discussions about the political and financial ramifications of Cuomo’s tenure. Critics have highlighted the significant taxpayer expenses associated with defending the former governor against multiple allegations. Despite these controversies, Cuomo has hinted at a potential return to politics, with speculation mounting about a possible run for New York City mayor in the near future.
Cuomo continues to face scrutiny over his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, including allegations of underreporting nursing home deaths and other related controversies. Whether this latest legal development impacts his political ambitions remains to be seen.
References:
- New York Post
- Wall Street Journal
- Politico
- Image Courtesy of: Yahoo News
