An upstate New York prosecutor introduced Monday that he's ending an investigation into an allegation of undesirable bodily contact by former Governor Andrew Cuomo.
Oswego County District Legal professional Gregory Oakes is the fourth county prosecutor to research, however decline to cost, Cuomo based mostly on allegations outlined in a searing August 2021 report by investigators working for New York Legal professional Common Letitia James.
"The Oswego County District Legal professional's Workplace has concluded that there's not a ample authorized foundation to convey legal costs towards former-Governor Andrew Cuomo based mostly upon the allegations of undesirable bodily contact made by Virginia Limmiatis," Oakes mentioned in an announcement Monday.
Oakes' workplace was investigating claims by Limmiatis, who instructed James' workplace that in Could 2017 she was standing in a rope line to greet the then-governor when he ran two fingers throughout her chest, urgent down on the letters printed on her shirt. Limmiatis mentioned, based on the report, that he then put his face near hers and mentioned, 'I will say I see a spider in your shoulder,' earlier than brushing his hand within the space between her shoulder and breasts.'"
Oakes mentioned in his assertion that the choice ought to "under no circumstances….be interpreted as casting doubt upon the character or credibility of Ms. Limmiatis, or how dangerous the acts she skilled have been."
He referred to as for legislators within the state to reform sexual harassment legal guidelines "to mirror the lived experiences of victims."
In an announcement launched by Limmiatis' legal professional, Limmiatis reiterated her allegations towards Cuomo and mentioned she was grateful to Oakes for investigating.
"I'm glad he was compelled to step down and held to account, and am proud to face with all the ladies who had the braveness to report his misconduct. So many ladies endure in silence and will not be supported after they come ahead," Limmiatis mentioned.
Cuomo has repeatedly denied all allegations of harassment. A spokesperson for Cuomo criticized James' investigation Monday, calling it "a political hit job." Cuomo's legal professional, Rita Glavin, mentioned of the Oswego prosecutor's resolution, "Fact and the rule of legislation prevailed, not politics or mob mentality."
Cuomo's workforce additionally on Monday despatched media pictures which they declare show he didn't contact Limmiatis inappropriately.
Cuomo resigned in August after the report by New York Legal professional Common Letitia James detailed accusations of sexual harassment and inappropriate conduct by 11 ladies, together with former staffers and a state trooper. The report prompted investigations by a number of native district attorneys, none of whom have since filed costs.
On December 23, performing Nassau County District Legal professional Joyce Smith introduced that an accusation by a state trooper who was assigned to Cuomo's safety element was "credible, deeply troubling, however not legal below New York legislation." The trooper mentioned Cuomo touched her inappropriately throughout a 2019 occasion on the Belmont Park racetrack, allegedly working the palm of his hand throughout her abdomen, based on the legal professional basic's report.
On December 28, Westchester County District Legal professional Miriam Rocah equally discovered allegations by the trooper and one other lady "credible," however declined to convey costs. The trooper accused Cuomo of an inappropriate kiss on the cheek at his Mt. Kisco dwelling. The opposite lady accused him of an inappropriate kiss on the cheek at a highschool in close by White Plains.
On January 4, Albany County District Legal professional David Soares additionally described allegations by an accuser as "credible" however mentioned he will not convey costs. Soares' workplace was investigating after the county sheriff introduced a legal grievance in October 2021. The sufferer was not recognized by title within the grievance, however the case appeared to stem from allegations made by former aide Brittany Commisso, who mentioned final summer season that the governor groped her in December 2019 and November 2020.
A separate investigation by the Manhattan district legal professional's Elder Abuse Unit into Cuomo's dealing with of COVID-19 in nursing properties additionally led to January with out costs.