And I got a clear photo sitting down," Commisso said. I showed him them. Thanks for contacting us. She then gave another date to the Times Union which proved impossible. 2 men found drugged after leaving NYC gay bars were killed, medical examiner says, Executive Assistant #1: Cuomo Accuser Speaks. I think I asked him are you all set. Sexual harassment is completely different," she said. The fact that she wore a long winter coat when she was in the office which was omitted by AG James is exculpatory evidence and disproves her story. First published on August 9, 2021 / 6:30 AM. Commisso claims that after she finished her assignment in Cuomos office, he hugged her. Brittany Commisso, the executive assistant who accused Gov. Jessica Chasmar is a digital writer on the politics team for Fox News and Fox Business. Premo told the newspaper, the day we met that she would take a polygraph test without hesitation.. After finishing her assignment pulled her in for a close hug. Roberta Kaplan, a lawyer, resigned as chairwoman from the women's advocacy group Time's Up after outrage over the disclosure that she had been enlisted by Cuomo's team in an effort to discredit the same accuser DeRosa had targeted. They denied the raise and made no other promises. Times Union Article, October 11, 2021:Subpoenaed records indicate the incident took place in early December as opposed to November, as erroneously proffered in a report by investigators with the state attorney generals office. If Cuomo wanted the photo or wanted to exercise power, he would have used his phone. Commisso, as far as I know, has had no communication with anyone in the executive chamber or any allies of governor Cuomo.. Cuomo allegedly began harassing Brittany Commisso around November 2019, and she accused him of groping her on New Year's Eve 2019. Legal Statement. "It was not welcomed. Brittany Commisso has identified herself as "executive assistant #1" from James' report. Commisso's accusations of increasingly inappropriate advances included Cuomo sneaking his hand down to her butt and rubbing it, during an embrace for a selfie that he suggested they take . Changes and amendments: We reserve the right to modify this Disclaimer or its terms related to the Website and Services at any time at our discretion. During her interview with CBS News and the Albany Times-Union, Commisso said, It was the right thing to do. She first claimed this happened on November 16, 2020. At this moment, I dont know what to say I dont know what to do. AG report p. 20, fn#123. Frank Commisso for Mayor/Twitter Cuomo then, according to Commisso, suggested the two try again on the couch. Commisso is a close friend of another accuser, Alyssa McGrath since high school. It was not welcomed, and it was certainly not consensual.. This indicates she was looking for a financial settlement and/or judgment. There are no witnesses and Cuomo denies all of these conversations. After Cuomo and his attorneys responded to the report in a video statement and at a press conference, James and the attorney generals office issued a statement on August 6 saying, After multiple women made accusations that Governor Cuomo sexually harassed them, the governor, himself, requested that Attorney General James oversee an independent investigation. (Screenshot). I remember having my coat on, it was November, it was cold. In an exclusive interview with "CBS This Morning" and the Times Union, one of those women, previously known only as Executive Assistant #1 is breaking her silence. Powered by. Brittany, Frank's wife, is one of 11 women who have accused the Governor of inappropriate sexual behavior at work. "I almost feel like he has this sense of almost a celebrity status and it just that was the tipping point. The report fails to mention that Commisso wore a long winter coat while allegedly being groped. Commisso claims Cuomo also hugged her on other occasions when she was leaving and attempted to kiss her. Brittany Commisso speaks out about allegations against Cuomo, Brittany Commisso says hugs, kisses from Cuomo were "not normal" and "not welcomed", Cuomo "needs professional help," accuser Brittany Commisso says, London police apologize as officer admits to dozens of rapes, Kevin Spacey pleads not guilty to 7 sexual assault charges in London, Writer files upgraded lawsuit alleging Trump "forcibly raped" her. She told Cuomo in late 2020 she was going through a divorce which created financial pressure. "And there has been no open-minded fact-finding in this case. She also said that she did not come forward publicly because she was fearful of retaliation. Brittany Commisso has been married to Frank Commisso Jr. since 2016. Watch Monday at 7a, only on CBS. He slammed the door shut and said I dont care (she was thinking about the staff downstairs hearing it). Its clear based on these transcripts that these two people were attempting to use the governor as a pawn for leverage in their messy divorce, said Cuomo spokesman Rich Azzopardi. On March 3, 2021, Commisso started her allegations, after she and her coworkers watched Cuomos press conference when he said he never touched any woman inappropriately. They are in fact so close that McGrath was listed as Commissos emergency contact at work. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Cuomo could face a couple of misdemeanor charges based on Commissos allegations, Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple said Saturday. This disclaimer was created with the disclaimer generator. freiberg disease radiology; french past tense conjugation. The 32-year-old was previously known only asExecutive Assistant #1 in state Attorney General Letitia James scathing report concluding that Cuomo sexually harassed 11 women, including current and former staffers, in violation of state and federal law. Brittany Commisso (born in 1989; Age: 32 years old) is an American Executive Assistant #1 from New York.She is one of the accusers of Andrew Cuomo who works as the governor of New York since 2011. They are currently going through a contested divorce, according to New York state records. "I believe that my story appears first due to the nature of the inappropriate conduct that the governor did to me," Commisso said. In the attorney generals report, the investigators wrote, that Brittany Commisso repeatedly testified that she felt she had to tolerate the Governors physical advances and suggestive comments because she feared the repercussions if she did not. The report added that Commisso, testified that she needed the income (including the overtime pay received from working on weekends), particularly as she was going through a divorce and was focused on not risking losing her job., During her interview with the Albany Times-Union in April 2021, which was published without naming her, Commisso said about the incident when she said she. He broke the laws that he himself created. He has until the end of this week to submit evidence in his defense in connection with a State Assembly impeachment probe. He posed for [the] photograph with his hands firmly around both womens ribcages, just below their breasts (in other words, their waists, the normal place for a hand in pictures such as these). He reached under her blouse grasping one of her breasts over her bra. This salary is 7 percent lower than average and 21 percent higher than median salary in Executive Chamber. Cuomo has denied any wrongdoing following the state AGs report and has refused widespread calls to resign. When we do, we will post a notification on the main page of the Website. Jericka Duncan: ( 00:58) Investigators found Brittany Commisso's claims credible. A politician, attorney, and novelist from the United States named Andrew is charged of pestering women sexually. They have a young daughter named Gianna. I would say, Governor, this is the truth. The attorney generals report said that Ms. Commisso did not recall the exact date that she said Mr. Cuomo groped her but that it was around Nov. 16. On March 9, the lawyer contacted the Executive Chamber saying that he planned to file an administrative complaint on her behalf and that Commisso would not pursue the matter criminally. Story tips can be sent to Jessica.Chasmar@fox.com. There are no witnesses, no evidence, and she never mentioned it to anyone, including her best friend until March 3, 2021. Maybe he had a letter or dictation that he wanted to do, and he said no, thats it. He has spent 40 years in public life and for him to all of the sudden be accused of a sexual assault of an executive assistant that he really doesnt know, doesnt pass muster., CBS THIS MORNING EXCLUSIVE: Aide who accused Cuomo of groping speaks publicly for first time, alleging "when he went to go kiss me on the cheek, he quickly turns his head & he kissed me on the lips." Commisso sent the selfie to her friend McGrath when still next to Cuomo. Did it have a zipper or wrap or buttons, how was it fastened?A. She then made it a priority to delete blurry photos and photoshop or filter the remaining one while sitting next to her assailant. The only date in November for which, that I see records that she visited the mansion was on November 16, Ms. Glavin said on MSNBC. I would have to lose my mind to do such a thing. The New York State Assembly will decide whether to impeach Cuomo. I never want her to be afraid of any person in power, a man or a woman.". Executive assistant of Gov. During the interview, Ms. Commisso described in more detail an incident described in the report in which she said that Mr. Cuomo touched her inappropriately while the two were taking a photo. Commisso is one of the 11 women who Cuomo was accused of sexually harassing in a damning report by New York State Attorney General Letitia James. Then there was at one point a hug, and then when he went to go kiss me on the cheek, he quickly turned his head and he kissed me on the lips.". Commisso has continued to work at the Capitol, according to the Times-Union, which wrote in April 2021: In the backdrop of the dual investigations and the political theater, the young woman at the center of the most serious allegations has soldiered on, reporting to her job at the Capitol where she has endured an occasional dirty look and fewer work assignments. When she reached his office on the 2nd floor, he came out from his desk and began groping her. These are the facts. Brittany, Frank's wife, is one of the 11 women who have accused the Governor of sexual touching at work. More information:https://ag.ny. Commisso worked for Cuomo starting 2019 and her estranged husband and family are Democrats who are involved in public in the Albany area. Commisso was. I said 'He is lying. She then worked in the Albany County Alternate Public Defenders Office until late 2017, when she was hired as an executive assistant in the governors office, the Times Union reported. "What he did to me was a crime," Ms Commisso, 32, said about alleged instances of . But everything changed a few months later when she saw Cuomo deny accusations of sexual harassment during a press conference in March 2021 and heard him say that he "never touched anyone inappropriately. Brittany Commisso began working as an executive assistant in the governor's office in 2017. 1 of 8 Brittany Commisso, who accused Gov. Yes, I definitely had my coat on me.Q. Mr. Cuomos lawyer, Rita Glavin, reiterated those comments in an interview with MSNBC on Monday, hours after Ms. Commissos interview was broadcast. Im, like, swearing in my mind. Cuomo has denied any impropriety on his part. Market data provided by Factset. ', Commisso added, I didnt have another choice. Commisso describes her coat as a long winter coat with a zipper and a belt. She claims that, during this encounter, Cuomo hugged her in a "sexually aggressive manner.". "I was embarrassed," she said. Andrew Cuomo (D-NY) did to her was a "crime." She called for him to be held accountable according to the law. Letter Page#1 and Page#2. Only after Cuomos attorney pointed out the evidence refuting the Reports findings regarding Ms. Commisso did she file a criminal complaint with the Albany County Sheriff on August 9, 2021. 2021 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. I don't have the words. According to the report, the pattern included close and intimate hugs, kisses on the cheeks, forehead and at least one kiss on the lips, touching and grabbing of her butt during hugs and while taking a selfie, comments and jokes by the governor about Commissos personal life and relationships, including calling her and another. ", Commisso said that after watching his denial she "broke down" and told two coworkers "a little bit.". It was not normal, it was not welcome, and it was certainly not consensual.. Brittany Commisso, one of the women accusing ex-Gov. He walked toward her a second time and pulled her close. Brittany Commisso, listed as "Executive Assistant #1" in the state attorney general's investigation into alleged sexual harassment by Cuomo in the workplace, came forward in an interview. In addition to the two groping allegations, Commisso also claimed that the governor would hug her inappropriately and that he kissed her on the lips without her consent. Commisso has accused Cuomo of groping her.. There she learned that Benton had called EA#3 instead of her. I would never on my own get up and initiate a hug with the governor," she insisted. Ms. Commisso said in the interview that she was afraid a staffer might walk in and get the wrong idea and told Mr. Cuomo, youre going to get us in trouble.. Those troopers that are there, they are not there to protect me. She said Youre going to get us in trouble because the door was open and she was afraid that a woman who works here is going to come in and see. She stepped away and said youre going to get us in trouble (because the door was open). Before that, she worked as a confidential stenographer for the Department of Transportation, according to information provided by the Empire Center for Public Policy. Cuomo of groping her speaks publicly for the first time: "What he did to me was a crime," Brittany Commisso tells @CBSThisMorning & @timesunion. Legal Statement. In her testimony on May 17, 2021, she claimed she deleted them because she didnt want Cuomo to see how shaky and nervous she was. Commisso stated she thought he wanted to make McGrath jealous to see her reaction. Andrew M. Cuomo of groping her in the Executive Mansion and filed a criminal complaint against him, forcefully rebutted the. He didnt say anything. November 10, 2021, AG James released Commissos testimony, which revealed that Brittany Commisso wore a long winter coat while she was allegedly groped. He kissed one on the forehead, one on the cheek. On Sunday night, Ms. DeRosa resigned from her position. Ms. Commisso, in her interview, described an escalating pattern of sexual behavior during her time working with the governor. Advertisement In her CBS interview, Commisso claimed that after the butt grope they sat down on the couch, where she felt safer, when in fact it puts her in a more vulnerable position. Was it buttoned up? "And, yes, you did. She has her hand around his neck, resting on his shoulder, leans her head against him, and smiles confidently, happily, and like she just won a prize. Andrew M. Cuomo has accused of lying about an incident in which she said he groped her breast at the Executive Mansion, revealed. Brittany Commisso's CBS News interview was aired after the resignation of Cuomo's top aide Melissa DeRosa. Commisso whose groping allegationled to a misdemeanor criminal complaint being filedagainstthe former governor last month implied that her estranged husband may have been manipulated by Cuomo insiders into erroneously believing she and Cuomo had a consensual affair. I know what happened and so does he," she said. I feel as though that Beth Garvey was asking about my relationship status to see if that was a route they could take to try to meddle in my divorce, she testified. Finally, after asking about details of her blouse, they stop saying its fine before she can make it worse and omit this whole crucial part of her testimony and the fact that she wore a coat completely. Cuomo hugged her, reached under her blouse, and grabbed her breast in the Executive Mansion. Both Cuomo and Benton testified that the other assistant (#3) was better at dictation and typing. Now, she is speaking publicly for the first time since filing a criminal complaint against Cuomo last. The Governors Counsel Judith Mogul testified that Commisso told them that Cuomo had forcefully thrown her up against the wall and put his hand under her shirt and felt her breast. (Screenshot from AG report, fn#214, p#31). McGrath lied about these text messages. Brittany Commisso began working as an executive assistant in the governor's office in 2017. "He came back to me and that's when he put his hand up my blouse and cupped my breast over my bra," she said. Last week, Commisso submitted her complaint report for August 2021. Andrew M. Cuomo of groping her in the Executive Mansion and filed a criminal complaint against him, forcefully rebutted the governors claims that she initiated or welcomed physical contact between them, in an interview that aired on Monday. And who do you tell?, Commissos attorney, Brian Premo, told the Times-Union in July 2021 that his client would be willing to take a lie detector test. Commissos second claim is that on December 31, 2019, Cuomo asked her to take a selfie with him, during which he rubbed and grabbed her butt for at least 5 seconds. Screenshot. Brittany Commissos allegations of being groped are not credible. The investigations are still ongoing, and these women are currently the focus of media attention. Brittany Commisso is a 32-year-old American Executive Assistant #1 from New York who was born in 1989. Her text message exchange with McGrath indicates that they considered the matter entertaining and desirable. Brittany Commisso acknowledged in an interview with "CBS This Morning" and The Albany Times Union that she was the person identified as "Executive Assistant #1" in a report by the New York . Brittany Commisso's Early Life She was born on August 13 in 1988. Brittany Commisso is Executive Assistant #1 in the AGs report and Ms. Commisso has a financial motive, and the timing of her allegations is connected with her divorce and financial issues. I never want her to be afraid of any person in power, a man or a woman.. She first made her complaint to the attorney generals office in March 2021. All the entrants and exit records and this womans story which is stated as fact in the report is false. James appointed Clark and Kim to lead an independent inquiry after Cuomo tasked James office with investigating the allegations against him. To attack this investigation andattempt to undermine and politicize this process takes away from the bravery displayed by these women.
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