Sexual harassment victims support group Time's Up has called for an "independent investigation" into New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo's alleged inappropriate behavior with an aide.
The organization's president Tina Tchen said Friday reports of Cuomo's "deeply troubling" behavior should immediately be addressed. If the accusations are proved the group plans to support the growing call for Cuomo's immediate resignation.
"Allegations of inappropriate behavior in any workplace are deeply troubling and should be addressed. We call on the Cuomo administration to conduct a full and independent investigation into these claims immediately," Tchen said.
On Thursday, Cuomo's former deputy secretary and special adviser Lindsey Boylan published an essay on the online publication Medium recounting her experience with Cuomo. Boylan claimed Cuomo repeatedly touched her inappropriately.
Boylan claimed Cuomo had kissed her on the lips during a one-on-one meeting. She said that Cuomo had told her that she looked like her rumored ex-girlfriend, Lisa Shield.
Boylan said that Cuomo started calling her "Lisa" in front of their colleagues. She also claimed Cuomo had asked her to play strip poker with him during a flight on the governor's jet.
Cuomo said during his regularly scheduled news conference that Boylan's accusations were not true. He said that he is an advocate of women's rights to speak out and to express their concerns in the workplace.
"I fought for and I believe a woman has the right to come forward and express her opinion and express issues and concerns that she has. But it's just not true," Cuomo said.
Cuomo's press secretary Caitlin Girouard said in a statement that Boylan's recollections of the alleged abuse were incorrect and her stories were "quite simply false."
Several personalities and politicians have backed Boylan and her claims. Actress-turned-activist Rose McGowan called for an investigation into the "monstrous claims." New York Republican congresswoman Elise Stefanik also expressed her desire to have Cuomo removed from his position. The politician said that any elected official that backed Cuomo will be "complicit" in his inappropriate behavior.
