Former NY Governor Cuomo files suit seeking taxpayer-funded legal fees for sexual harassment case

Former New York governor Andrew Cuomo, who resigned from his position last year amid sexual misconduct allegations, filed a lawsuit this week seeking to have his legal fees related to a sexual harassment case paid by the state.

A New York state trooper filed a lawsuit against the former governor in February, claiming Cuomo had sexually harassed her when she worked as part of his security detail. The suit accused Cuomo of making sexual remarks to the trooper, as well as occasionally running his fingers along her back and stomach. The trooper is one of about a dozen women harassed by Cuomo, an independent investigation found in 2021. 

The former governor was denied representation in the case by New York Attorney General Letitia James, which Cuomo alleges is a violation of state law that provides legal representation for Cuomo as the allegations occurred while he was serving in his official capacity as a state employee. 

In April, James held a news conference in which she referred to the former governor as a “sick, pathetic man” and a “serial sexual harasser.” The lawsuit alleges James denied Cuomo legal representation shortly after the press conference. 

The lawsuit filed by Cuomo on Thursday alleges James’ denial of representation to the former governor is a violation of laws that provide state workers with such representation.

James has responded to the allegations contained in the lawsuit, saying, “Sexually harassing young women who work for you is not part of anyone’s job description. Taxpayers should not have to pony up for legal bills that could reach millions of dollars so Mr. Cuomo’s lawyer can attack survivors of his abuse.”

Cuomo has denied all allegations of sexual misconduct, and none of the women who accused the former governor have yet opted to file charges against Cuomo.