A former staffer who accused former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo of sexual harassment has dropped a federal lawsuit against him, according to court records.
Attorneys for Charlotte Bennett, who filed a lawsuit against her former boss in 2022, filed a notice of voluntary termination without prejudice on Monday, Dec. 9.
Bennett withdrew the case the day before her deposition, Bennett's attorney Debra Katz of Katz Banks Cumin wrote in an article. release.
Former Governor Cuomo ousts Biden with 'sad' and 'hypocritical' pardon: People are fed up with it.'
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo prepares to board a helicopter after announcing his resignation in New York, August 10, 2021. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)
Cuomo's attorney, Richard Azzopardi, praised Bennett's decision, saying her allegations “unfairly smeared” the former governor “for years.”
“Ms. Bennett's decision to drop the baseless case should be seen as a complete capitulation and a desperate attempt to avoid facing a mountain of acquittals that completely deny her claims – AG – including contemporaneous documents and videos never obtained by the office of Governor Cuomo,'' he said in a statement to FOX News Digital.
“Ms. Bennett, who has unfairly slandered Governor Cuomo for years, has filed a deposition to avoid having to admit under oath that her claims are false and that there is no basis for her claims. “They suddenly dropped the federal lawsuit the day before it was filed,” he said. “If New York state were to cave in and settle the case under a public pressure campaign, it would not be on the merits of the case and we should demand that all the evidence be released so that New Yorkers can finally know the truth. Governor Cuomo has never sexually harassed anyone.”
Charlotte Bennett, former health policy aide to former Governor Andrew Cuomo, pauses during an interview on Tuesday, October 12, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)
in a statement posted on their websiteBennett's attorney said he chose to dismiss the lawsuit to end Cuomo's continued harassment of his client.
“Mr. Cuomo has used these legal processes to punish Ms. Bennett and others who reported sexual harassment and to cause her further harm, all at the expense of New York taxpayers,” Katz said. This is being done at a cost,” he wrote. “Therefore, by dismissing the federal lawsuit, we hope that our client will be able to resolve this dispute and ultimately be able to fully compensate for all the harm that Mr. Cuomo and his agents have caused her. I’m here.”
Her lawyers said Ms. Bennett would continue to “pursue justice” in her lawsuit against the state of New York in Manhattan Supreme Court.
Andrew Cuomo files ethics lawsuit against New York State Athleticia James over sexual harassment investigation
“On behalf of Mr. Bennett and in support of all those who have faced sexual harassment at the hands of powerful men like former Governor Cuomo, we will continue to seek justice in our actions against the state of New York…” Katz said. “Therefore, by dismissing the federal lawsuit, we hope that our client will be able to resolve this dispute and ultimately be able to fully compensate for all the harm that Mr. Cuomo and his agents have caused her. I’m here.”
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo departs by helicopter after announcing his resignation in Manhattan, New York City, USA, on August 10, 2021. (Reuters/Caitlin Ochs/File Photo)
Bennett said in her lawsuit that Cuomo “made sexual comments about her appearance” and “assigned her humiliating and humiliating tasks.”
It also said the former governor allegedly “asked intrusive and unwanted questions about her personal life, her romantic and sexual relationships, and her history as a survivor of sexual assault.”
The lawsuit alleges that on May 16, 2019, Bennett's first day on the job, Cuomo “called her into his office” and asked her a series of questions that eventually touched on their personal relationship. It is claimed that. Cuomo allegedly asked new employees if they had a current boyfriend and also asked about their longest relationship.
Andrew Cuomo sues New York state to cover legal costs in harassment lawsuit
Bennett's lawsuit says the questions were “inappropriate” and made her “offensive.”
After Mr. Cuomo allegedly asked Mr. Bennett to begin traveling with him, Mr. Bennett allegedly asked a series of questions about his personal life, to which Mr. Bennett answered.weightlifting, skiing, running. ”
Cuomo then allegedly asked Bennett how much weight she could bench press and how many push-ups she could do. The man then challenged her to a “push-up competition,” the complaint says.
Bennett also alleged that Cuomo made “sexual advances” toward her, citing an incident on June 25, 2020.
He said in his lawsuit that Cuomo, while discussing police reform proposals, said the way Charlotte's mask moved in and out as she breathed reminded him of the monster in the movie “Predator.”
“If I ever get investigated for sexual harassment, I'm going to have to say I told her she was like a monster,” Cuomo allegedly followed up, according to the complaint.
She alleges in her lawsuit that former Chief of Staff Gilles Desrosiers: former Secretary Melissa DeRosa; and Special Counsel Judith Mogul, both accused of “aiding and abetting” sexual harassment.
The lawsuit alleges that when Bennett reported allegations of sexual harassment by Cuomo to Desrosiers, he was moved to a “subordinate position” on the executive chamber's health policy team.
The complaint also alleges that after Cuomo cooperated with an investigation by state Attorney General Letitia James, he “embarked on a campaign to publicly question the accusations” brought by Bennett and other women.
According to the complaint, Bennett “Almost like debilitating anxiety,She had symptoms of depression and began suffering from a “chronic neurological disorder,” which she said was a “direct result” of Cuomo's alleged harassment.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Bennett said in a statement that Cuomo's sexual harassment allegations have affected her career as a public servant.
“After I complained of Governor Cuomo's misconduct, my career as a public servant was abruptly cut short due to sexual harassment and retaliation by Governor Cuomo and his associates, all of whom were… They must take responsibility for their actions.”
