[]. He reached under her blouse grasping one of her breasts over her bra. They have a young daughter together. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. His campaigns Twitter profile from the time shows her by his side on the campaign trail and on election night. Ms. Commisso, in her interview, described an escalating pattern of sexual behavior during her time working with the governor. And if that's what he has to say to make himself feel better, I really, I feel sorry for him. 3 different dates: After the AG report was released on August 3, 2021, Cuomos lawyer presented evidence showing that the alleged incident could have not happened on that date. "An Executive Chamber staff member noted that she believed Executive Assistant #1 [Brittany Commisso] and Ms. McGrath had wanted a picture with the Governor at the party and were proud of the ones taken." AG report p. 20, footnote#123. 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). CUOMO FOLLOWS WELL-USED PLAYBOOK BY SCANDAL-PLAGUED POLITICIANS: DENY WRONGDOING, WAIT IT OUT. "It was not welcomed. "I exactly remember looking down, seeing his hand, which is a large hand, thinking to myself, 'Oh, my God. You said you were wearing a blouse, what did your blouse look like?A. Commissos estranged husband ran unsuccessfully for Albany mayor in 2017 as a Democrat. Commisso claims Cuomo told her to send the picture to McGrath but not to share it with anyone else. Cuomo testified that he does not like to take selfies. It also appears that Commisso either photo-shopped the picture or used a filter. While we have made every attempt to ensure that the information contained on the Website is correct, the Operator is not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for the results obtained from the use of this information. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Let me ask you a few questions about that. 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. In an exclusive "CBS This Morning" and the Times Union interview, Brittany Commisso says Governor Andrew Cuomo groped and sexually harassed her. Now, she is speaking publicly for the first time since filing a criminal complaint against Cuomo last. "I believe that he groped me, he touched me, not only once, but twice.". And he said twice I told them and they know. We've received your submission. Brittany Commisso reported Cuomo to the Albany County sheriff's office last week, days after an investigation by the state attorney general's office found she was among 11 women whom the . A suggestion that she said she accepted because she thought he would no longer be able to touch her rear end if she were sitting down. I remember (thinking), You have to pull yourself together even if you have to sit here for a couple minutes to do that. If I told someone, Im done. I never want her to be afraid to speak. But . For the first time Monday, Commisso publicly came forward with her claims that Cuomo twice groped her in the Executive Mansion calling his conduct a crime in a new interview with CBS This Morning and the Albany Times Union. Pauses, fillers, irrelevant comments were removed. He kissed one on the forehead, one on the cheek. McGrath lied about these text messages. (Screenshot). November 10, 2021, AG James released Commissos testimony, which revealed that Brittany Commisso wore a long winter coat while she was allegedly groped. Andrew M. Cuomo of groping her in the Executive Mansion and filed a criminal complaint against him, forcefully rebutted the. "I hope that the other women understand and that I've seen them and I support them. She has also accused Cuomo of reaching under her blouse to grope her breast during an incident at the Executive Mansion in Albany last year. Cuomo allegedly endured harassment, An investigator says that an executive assistant of Governor Andrew Cuomo endured a series of inappropriate encounters with Governor Andrew Cuomo. And it was certainly not consensual.". What he did to me was a crime. His actions toward her, she said, made her uncomfortable. Brittany Commisso (born in 1989; Age: 32 years old) is an American Executive Assistant #1 from New York. "There was a speech that he gave less than a month ago, and in his speech, he said, 'If you give New Yorkers the truth and you give New Yorkers the facts, the good, the bad, the ugly, they will do the right thing.' During her testimony, the investigators discuss the issue with her in detail and try to lead her to resolve this discrepancy. Commisso claims that she took several photos before during which it happened, but that she deleted them because they were blurry. Thanks for contacting us. This indicates she was looking for a financial settlement and/or judgment. At this moment, I dont know what to say I dont know what to do. On that same day, Commisso was at a birthday party for her friend McGrath. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. As a result, I am currently 32 years old. "I'm a former federal prosecutor and I know the difference between putting a case together against a target, versus doing independent fact-finding with an open mind," Glavin said. I know what she meant by that. Commisso told the newspaper that in late 2019, she began to be called upon to work directly with Cuomo more frequently. The selfie with Commisso was published with the report, which might have escalated the divorce situation and triggered the sudden criminal complaint. I was on the right. Premo asked whether Cuomo would also take a polygraph exam. This is the only place he could place his hands, otherwise he would grope their butts or breasts. Commisso claims that after she finished her assignment in Cuomos office, he hugged her. Screenshot. Alex Murdaugh sentenced to life in prison for murders of wife and son, Biden had cancerous skin lesion removed last month, doctor says, White supremacist and Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes kicked out of CPAC, Tom Sizemore, actor known for "Saving Private Ryan" and "Heat," dies at 61, Biden team readies new advisory panel ahead of expected reelection bid, At least 10 dead after winter storm slams South, Midwest, House Democrats unhappy with White House handling of D.C.'s new criminal code. Additionally, on November 25, Cuomo was 225 miles away in Rochester holding a briefing around noon, and then giving out turkeys.The task is now specified as assisting him how to text a note from his iPhone to Benton. They are in fact so close that McGrath was listed as Commissos emergency contact at work. Brittany Commisso's claims were first detailed in a report which found Mr Cuomo sexually harassed 11 women. Andrew is an American politician, lawyer, and author who is accused of sexually harassing women. Then they started to be hugs with kisses on the cheek. Frank Commisso for Mayor/Twitter Family, Parents, Siblings, Education. She is generally described as a bubbly, outgoing person. Cuomo denies the claim. She also claims that Cuomo said things like she looked good for [her] age and [for] being a mother, Its about time that you showed some leg, If you were single, the things I would do to you. Commisso describes her coat as a long winter coat with a zipper and a belt. Now my hives are coming out. She has provided several variations of her breast groping story that differ significantly in what happened when it happened, and why she was in the Mansion (see details further below). They, therefore, sat down to take the photo below. Brittany Commisso is one of 11 girls named in a classified report by New York State Attorney General Letitia James, who claims Cuomo sexually harassed a number of women and violated state and federal laws. By accessing and using the Website and Services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by the terms of this Disclaimer. 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.". She was identified only as "Executive Assistant. Cuomo's office says he groped and sexually harassed her allegations he. Ms. Commisso told CBS and The Times-Union that she thought the governor was lying. 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. 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 said 'He is lying. 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.. She told Cuomo in late 2020 she was going through a divorce which created financial pressure. I remember looking at them, and when he said, 'can I see them?' However, before joining the office of Governor Cuomo, she used to work with the Albany County Department of Law. Brittany Commisso, the executive assistant who accused Gov. First published on August 9, 2021 / 6:30 AM. Facts Still Matter. To attack this investigation and attempt to undermine and politicize this process takes away from the bravery displayed by these women., The statement added, There will be a rolling production of interview transcripts made available to the state Assembly, which will be redacted as needed. This indicates she was looking for a financial settlement and/or judgment. I broke down. And I got a clear photo sitting down," Commisso said. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, has identified herself as Brittany Commisso, Cuomo mocks Biden over China spy balloon debacle, Sky-high costs: Hochul sticks NY taxpayers with $271K flight tab in first year as gov, Mario bridge name bill: Letters to the Editor Feb. 24, 2023, How to bring back The Tappan Zee Bridge with some class. Commisso is a close friend of another accuser, Alyssa McGrath since high school. "What he did to me was a crime," Ms Commisso, 32, said about alleged instances of . Im officially jealous!!! "These were hugs with the intention of getting some personal sexual satisfaction out of. This Disclaimer is a legally binding agreement between you (User, you or your) and this Website operator (Operator, we, us or our). Andrew Cuomo of groping her at the Executive Mansion, is interviewed at the Times Union on Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Colonie, N.Y. Will Waldron/Times . After completing high school she got admission into the University of Albany of the United States. She graduated from SUNY Albany with a degree in political science and government. Andrew M. Cuomo, spoke publicly for the first time about her allegations. Representation: Any views or opinions represented on the Website belong solely to the content creators and do not represent those of people, institutions or organizations that the Operator or creators may or may not be associated with in professional or personal capacity, unless explicitly stated. He stopped and she left without further exchange, went to her car, and headed back to the Capitol. Commisso claims that after she finished her assignment in Cuomos office, he hugged her. Cuomo has denied touching women inappropriately, but apologized if his behavior was misinterpreted, while his attorneys have questioned the fairness and impartiality of the attorney generals investigation. "He cupped my breast," Commisso told investigators. Yes, there was no buttons. According to an April 2021 interview with the Albany Times-Union, Commisso worked for a top official at a state agency during the start of her time with the governors office, and then returned to work closer to Cuomo in June 2019 as executive assistant to one of his top advisors. Andrew Cuomo (D-NY) did to her was a "crime." She called for him to be held accountable according to the law. On the recording her husband, who filed for divorce in January, implied that he knows that we had an affair, Commisso said. If you do not have such authority, or if you do not agree with the terms of this agreement, you must not accept this agreement and may not access and use the Website and Services. 2021 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. There are no witnesses, no evidence, and she never mentioned it to anyone, including her best friend until March 3, 2021. And it unfortunately turned into a nightmare," she said. "That is not true. The governors special counsel Beth Garvey had also been asking around about her relationship status, Brittany told investigators. The 165-page report, in which Ms. Commisso is referred to as Executive Assistant #1, found that Mr. Cuomo harassed 11 women, most of them current or former state employees. Around November 2019, when she started to assist Mr. Cuomo at the Executive Mansion, the governor would comment on her appearance, the attorney generals report said. Maybe he had a letter or dictation that he wanted to do, and he said no, thats it. 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. He testified that it was Commisso who wanted to send it to McGrath to make her jealous. All the entrants and exit records and this womans story which is stated as fact in the report is false. Andrew Cuomo of sexual misconduct, suggested to investigators that allies of the disgraced politician tried to meddle in her divorce proceedings in a brazen attempt to discredit her, according to disturbing new transcripts released this week. 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). She accuses him of groping her. Her husband filed for divorce summons with notice are recorded at Albany County Clerk on February 22, 2021, with Brittany Commisso as a defendant, 9 days before she started her allegations. "I then felt while taking the selfie, his hand go down my back onto my butt, and he started rubbing it. 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. Commisso was married in 2016 to former Albany Common Council member Frank Commisso Jr., the son of Albany County Legislator Frank Commisso Sr., a Democrat. Commisso has worked for Cuomo since 2017. It was, it was I don't have the words. Then the investigators start asking questions about her coat because wearing a coat doesnt fit her narrative of Cuomo sliding his hand instantly and in .2 seconds under her blouse. I showed him them. I remember having my coat on, it was November, it was cold. He said that the governor could face a misdemeanor charge or "possibly a couple.". The independent investigators selected are widely respected professionals, recognized for their legal and investigatory ability. It was going to be me. Brittany Commisso, one of the women accusing ex-Gov. "I have to tell you it was at the moment I was in such shock that I could just tell you that I just remember looking down seeing his hand, seeing the top of my bra and I remember it was like a little even the cup the kind of bra that I had to the point I could tell you doesnt really fit me properly, it was a little loose, I just remember seeing exactly that. Last week, Commisso submitted her complaint report for August 2021. The coupleis in the midst of contested divorce proceedings andhas a scheduled courtroom date in Albany Supreme Court on Friday, the New York Post reported. On March 8, EA#2 and #3 reported the incident to the governors counsel, who relayed the information to the AGs office and GOER, the Governors Office of Employee Relations. Commisso, now 32, alleges that the governor groped her for the first time on December 31, 2019. On page 190 Commisso also testified that she is not getting child support from her husband. In early 2020, Commisso said Cuomo kissed her on the lips during one of his routine hugs. 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. There are troopers that are outside of the mansion and there are some mansion staff. Former Cuomo assistant Brittany Commisso said Sunday on CBS's "Face the Nation" in a preview clip from "CBS This Morning" that what Gov. Andrew Cuomo's aide, who accused him of groping and kissing her on the lips, has publicly identified herself as Brittany Commisso. The documentary evidence does not support what she said. After finishing her assignment pulled her in for a close hug. "I was afraid that if I had come forward, and revealed my name, that the governor and his 'enablers' I like to call them would viciously attack me, would smear my name as I had seen and heard them do before to people," she said. Andrew Cuomo of sexual misconduct, suggested to investigators that allies of the disgraced politician tried to meddle in her divorce. On October 28, 2021, an investigator for Albany County Sheriff Apple filed criminal charges against Cuomo in Albany City Court for this incident, establishing December 7, 2020, as the new date of this alleged forcible touching. 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.