ALBANY, N.Y. (NEXSTAR) — Ex-New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is suing Charlotte Bennett for defamation, alleging that her false accusations of sexual harassment damaged him personally and professionally. According to a summons with notice filed on December 19—which you can read at the bottom of this story—Cuomo wants compensatory and punitive damages, with interest.
Bennett’s lawyer, Debra Katz, sent the following statement:
“This case has no merit. There is a long history of using defamation lawsuits to silence and punish accusers of sexual harassment. It is shameful that Mr. Cuomo has apparently now chosen to go down that path.”
A spokesperson for Cuomo said, “We’re going to let the suit speak for itself.”
In 2021, Bennett publicly accused Cuomo of making inappropriate advances while she worked for him as an aide. The allegations became part of a broader investigation conducted by the Office of Attorney General Letitia James, yielding a report that found her accusations credible.