‘Cascade of harm’: Cuomo threatens defamation lawsuit against former aide who accused him of sexual harassment

Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is taking legal action against his former aide, Charlotte Bennett, filing a defamation lawsuit in response to Bennett’s previous federal lawsuit against him for sexual harassment. The legal notice filed by Cuomo claims that Bennett defamed him through the process, specifically citing a false statement made on December 9, 2024, in which Bennett and her agents accused Cuomo of sexual harassment.

The notice of claim highlights that Bennett’s agents tweeted the defamatory statement, which was widely disseminated and intended to cause harm to Cuomo. Bennett reposted the tweet, which garnered significant attention, ultimately contributing to the damage inflicted on Cuomo’s reputation. Bennett was among several women who accused Cuomo of sexual harassment, leading to his resignation in 2021.

Cuomo denied the allegations against him at the time of his resignation, acknowledging that he had been too familiar with people and insensitive with his sense of humor. He expressed regret for his actions and vowed to step aside to allow the government to focus on governing. Bennett dropped her lawsuit against Cuomo in December, just before her deposition was scheduled to take place.

Bennett’s lawyer, Debra Katz, criticized Cuomo for his aggressive tactics during the legal proceedings, accusing him of attempting to smear Bennett and distract from the findings of the New York Attorney General’s Office investigation. Katz emphasized that Cuomo’s apologies for his behavior were insincere and that his actions following the accusations were designed to harass Bennett.

A representative for Cuomo praised Bennett’s decision to drop the lawsuit, characterizing it as a capitulation and an attempt to avoid the exposure of evidence that refuted her claims. The representative emphasized that Cuomo never sexually harassed anyone and called for the public release of all evidence to reveal the truth.

In response to Cuomo’s notice of claim, Katz dismissed the allegations as having no merit and condemned the use of defamation lawsuits to silence and punish accusers of sexual harassment. Cuomo’s notice alleges that Bennett exploited her interactions with him to advance her career and that her false allegations caused significant harm to Cuomo.

Ultimately, the legal battle between Cuomo and Bennett underscores the complex and contentious nature of sexual harassment allegations in the public sphere. The ongoing dispute highlights the challenges faced by individuals who come forward with accusations against powerful figures and the legal strategies employed to defend against defamation claims.