Andrew Cuomo charged with misdemeanor sex crime in New York
Cuomo was charged in Albany City Court Thursday
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has been charged with a misdemeanor sex crime for forcible touching.
The Democrat was charged in Albany City Court Thursday, a spokesperson for New York State Court has confirmed to Fox News.
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 12: New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. (Photo by Jeenah Moon/Getty Images) (Photo by Jeenah Moon/Getty Images)
"A Misdemeanor Complaint against former Governor Andrew Cuomo has been filed in Albany City Court" the spokesperson said in a statement. "As this is a sex crime, a redacted complaint will be available shortly."
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Mariann Wang, an attorney for Cuomo accusers Alyssa McGrath and Virginia Limmiatis celebrated the news in a statement Thursday.
"My clients are enormously grateful for the courage of the women who have come forward to speak the truth about Cuomo’s misconduct," Wang said. "Cuomo is being held to account as he should be, including by being forced to answer a criminal charge. We hope that all men who abuse their power by abusing women will see this and understand that there will be real consequences to their profoundly damaging behavior."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
The misdemeanor complaint describes forcible touching as when a "person intentionally, and for no legitimate purpose forcibly touches the sexual or other intimate parts of another person for the purpose of degrading or abusing such person, or for the purpose of gratifying the actor's sexual desire."
The charge comes after Cuomo resigned in August following sexual harassment allegations brought against him by 11 women who worked for him.
"New York tough means New York loving, and I love New York and I love you," Cuomo said at the time. "I would never want to be unhelpful in any way, and I think given the circumstances, the best way I can help now is if I step aside and let government get back to governing, and therefore, that’s what I’ll do."
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New York Gov. Andrew (AP Photo/Mike Groll, File)
The former governor did admit to making jokes and giving out hugs and kisses, saying that his "sense of humor can be insensitive."
"I have slipped and called people ‘honey, ’sweetheart' and ‘darling.’ I mean it to be endearing but women found it dated and offensive," Cuomo said.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}At the time though, he denied any wrongdoing, accusing the state investigators who released a report detailing the allegations against him of bias.
"Governor Cuomo has never assaulted anyone, and Sheriff Apple’s motives here are patently improper," said his attorney Rita Glavin. "Sheriff Apple didn’t even tell the District Attorney what he was doing."
"’Accidentally’ filing a criminal charge without notification and consent of the prosecuting body doesn’t pass the laugh test and this process reeks of Albany politics and perhaps worse," said Cuomo spokesman Rich Azzopardi. "The fact that the AG — as predicted — is about to announce a run for governor is lost on no one."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"From the moment my office received the referral to investigate allegations that former Governor Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed multiple women, we proceeded without fear or favor, New York Attorney General Letitia James said in a statement. "The criminal charges brought today against Mr. Cuomo for forcible touching further validate the findings in our report."