FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 1, 2021

Statement from Charlotte Bennett and Attorney Debra S. Katz

WASHINGTON, DC – On February 27, 2021, The New York Times detailed Charlotte
Bennett’s sexual harassment allegations against Governor Andrew Cuomo, which she had
reported to both his chief of staff, Jill DesRosiers, and his special counsel, Judith Mogul, in June
of 2020, shortly after Governor Cuomo had made unwanted sexual comments and
advances. According to her attorney, Debra S. Katz of the law firm Katz, Marshall & Banks,
Ms. Bennett “documented Governor Cuomo’s persistent harassment of her and for that reason,
the governor could not dismiss her allegations with the back of hand as he did those of his first
accuser.” However, rather than accept responsibility for his misconduct, Governor Cuomo first
released a statement to The Timesstating that he had acted as a mentor and had “never made
advances toward Ms. Bennett, nor did I ever intend to act in any way that was inappropriate.”

After receiving broad condemnation for these remarks and for his efforts to select a former
federal judge who would report to him to lead an investigation into Ms. Bennett’s allegations,
Governor Cuomo was forced to reverse course and issued a new statement. Once again,
Governor Cuomo failed to take responsibility for his misconduct and instead suggested that his
remarks were “misinterpreted as an unwanted flirtation.” According to Ms. Katz, Ms. Bennett
will not allow the Governor to rewrite history and to recast his abusive behavior as something
she misinterpreted. Here is her statement:

Statement of Charlotte Bennett in response to Governor Cuomo’s remarks:

“The Governor has refused to acknowledge or take responsibility for his predatory behavior. As
we know, abusers – particularly those with tremendous amounts of power – are often repeat
offenders who engage in manipulative tactics to diminish allegations, blame victims, deny
wrongdoing and escape consequences. It took the Governor 24 hours and significant backlash to
allow for a truly independent investigation. These are not the actions of someone who simply
feels misunderstood; they are the actions of an individual who wields his power to avoid
justice.

“In a clear effort to perform a sensitivity that he simply does not possess, the Governor has
implied that he wants his supporters to stand down and respect my decision to speak out. In
coming forward I fully expected to be attacked by those who reflexively question the honesty or
motivation of those who report sexual harassment. I am not deterred by these voices. Instead, I
have focused on the overwhelming love and support I have received from friends and strangers
alike. Thank you for holding space for me and lifting me up in what has been one of the most
vulnerable moments of my life.

“Coming forward was an excruciating decision. I decided to share my story because I had faith
that I would be supported and believed. This is often not the case. Sharing my experience was
only possible because of past survivors who stood up and told their stories. I hope that my story
helps other survivors feel like they can stand in their truth.

“To survivors reading this: I believe you. I see you. I hear you. Your story is valid, your pain is
real and your anger is justified. I am sending you my love, support and solidarity. You are
carrying an unbelievable burden — one that takes time and energy to untangle. Each journey,
including my own, is a long and winding one. No two are the same. That said, I believe we can
empower each other. For anyone who needs to hear this, know I am holding space for you, too.

“To the Governor’s survivors: I am here. Lindsey is here. You do not have to say a single word.
But if you choose to speak your truth, we will be standing with you. I promise.”
Statement of Debra S. Katz

“Ms. Bennett will cooperate fully with the Attorney General’s investigation. We are confident
that no disinterested investigator who reviews this evidence would adopt the Governor’s self-
serving characterization of his behavior as mentorship or, at worst, unwanted flirtation. He was
not acting as a mentor and his remarks were not misunderstood by Ms. Bennett. He was abusing
his power over her for sex. This is textbook sexual harassment.

“If, as the Governor now acknowledges, he talked to young women who worked for his
administration in this manner, the problem is a systemic one and the Attorney General must
investigate whether other women were subjected to a sexually hostile work environment. It is
also critical for the Attorney General to determine if anyone in the Cuomo Administration
enabled his behavior. We call on the Attorney General to investigate the failure of Governor
Cuomo’s chief of staff and special counsel to fully investigate Ms. Bennett’s allegation. They
had a clear legal obligation to do so.”
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