Cuomo Apologizes After Sexual Harassment Claims, Won't Resign

LONG ISLAND, NY — A subdued Gov. Andrew Cuomo apologized Wednesday after a third woman accused him of sexual harassment this week — but said he will not resign.

"I now fully understand that I acted in a way that made people uncomfortable," Cuomo said during his first news briefing since the accusations were made public. "It was unintentional and I truly and deeply apologize for it. I feel awful about it and frankly, I am embarrassed by it. That's not easy to say, and that's the truth.

"I never touched anyone inappropriately ... I never knew at the time that I was making anyone feel uncomfortable and I certainly never, ever meant to offend or hurt anyone or cause anyone pain. That is the last thing I would ever want to do."

Calls for the governor's resignation have intensified, with some, including lawmakers, saying the sexual harassment accusations and ongoing controversy over nursing home deaths affect his ability to govern.

"I am not going to resign," Cuomo said. "I wasn't elected by politicians. I was elected by the people of the state of New York."

He said much work needs to be done to rebuild from the coronavirus pandemic.

Cuomo said he will "fully cooperate" with an investigation into the sexual harassment claims by state Attorney General Letitia James.

The third woman — Anna Ruch, 33 — told The New York Times she met Cuomo at a 2019 wedding and he placed his hand on her lower back. Ruch told The Times she immediately took Cuomo's hand away, prompting the governor to call her "aggressive" and place his hands on her cheeks.

"He said, 'Can I kiss you?'" Ruch said, according to The Times. "I felt so uncomfortable and embarrassed when really he is the one who should have been embarrassed."

The exchange was captured in a photo included a Times story Monday.

Cuomo said there are hundreds of photos of him touching women, men and children in a similar way and that kissing and hugging are his "usual and customary way of greeting."

"It was my father's way of greeting," he said. "You want people to feel comfortable, to reach out to them."

He said if people were offended and "felt pain from it, then it was wrong and I apologize."

Ruch's account followed sexual harassment claims by former Cuomo aides Lindsey Boylan and Charlotte Bennett.

Cuomo said he has learned an "important lesson" and he "will be the better for this experience." He said he has been told not to speak on the sexual harassment claims but wanted New Yorkers "to hear from me directly on this."

He added he has taken sexual harassment training.