As the state of New York scrambles to contain an ongoing coronavirus pandemic, its governor is mired in a "groping" situation.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo denied accusations that he groped a woman at his residence, calling the reported account of a new accuser "gut-wrenching," the Associated Press and NBC News reported Thursday.
The allegations are the most serious made yet by a series of women in what is quickly turning out to be a political maelstrom for the embattled Democrat.
According to The Times Union of Albany, the woman was alone with the governor when she was fondled.
The woman, whom the Times Union did not identify, said she was summoned to the executive mansion on the pretext of repairing a minor technical issue involving his mobile phone.
They were alone in Cuomo's private residence on the second floor when the governor allegedly closed the door, reached under her blouse and fondled her before she told him to stop.
The woman, who is much younger than the governor, also claims that Cuomo had touched her on other occasions, and that he was often flirtatious with her, The Intelligencer reported. She's now the sixth person to accuse the governor of misconduct.
In a statement, Cuomo said he has "never done anything like this," and that he can't speak regarding the details of the report considering the ongoing evaluation from the attorney general, according to Forbes.
Letitia James, the New York Attorney General, has appointed two attorneys, one of them a former acting U.S. Attorney, to lead an independent inquiry.
The woman has not filed a formal complaint with the governor's office, The Times Union said.
Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan said that no criminal complaint had been filed by the alleged victim to the Albany Police Department.
