Former New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo’s sexual harassment accuser drops federal lawsuit

A former staffer who accused ex-New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo of sexual harassment has withdrawn her federal lawsuit against him, according to court records. Charlotte Bennett, who filed suit against her onetime boss in 2022, dropped her lawsuit on the eve of her deposition, according to her attorney, Debra Katz of Katz Banks Kumin.

The voluntary notice of dismissal without prejudice was filed on Monday, Dec. 9, marking the end of the legal battle between Bennett and Cuomo. In response to the dismissal, Richard Azzopardi, a representative for Cuomo, praised Bennett’s decision and stated that her claims had “falsely smeared” the former governor for years.

Azzopardi went on to say that Bennett’s decision to drop the lawsuit was a “complete capitulation” and an attempt to avoid being confronted with evidence that refuted her claims against Cuomo. He also emphasized that Cuomo never sexually harassed anyone and called for the public release of all evidence related to the case.

In a statement posted on their website, Bennett’s attorneys explained that they chose to dismiss the federal case to end Cuomo’s continued harassment of their client. They expressed hope that Bennett would be able to resolve the dispute and be compensated for the damage caused by Cuomo and his agents.

Despite dropping the federal lawsuit, Bennett will continue seeking justice through a Manhattan Supreme Court lawsuit against New York State. Her attorneys stated that they remain committed to holding powerful men like Cuomo accountable for sexual harassment.

However, a January 2022 opinion report from The Washington Post highlighted Bennett’s alleged history of falsifying sexual harassment reports. In a 2017 federal lawsuit, Bennett, using the pseudonym “Sally Smith,” filed a false claim against a fellow student at Hamilton College, which was settled after the plaintiff was barred from campus.

Bennett’s lawsuit against Cuomo detailed several instances of alleged sexual harassment, including inappropriate comments about her appearance, demeaning tasks, and invasive questions about her personal life. She also accused Cuomo of making sexual advances towards her and cited a specific incident in June 2020.

The lawsuit further alleged that Cuomo’s former Chief of Staff, Secretary, and Special Counsel all aided and abetted the harassment. Bennett claimed that she suffered from anxiety, depression, and a chronic neurological disorder as a result of Cuomo’s actions.

In a statement, Bennett emphasized the impact of Cuomo’s harassment on her career as a public servant and called for accountability for his actions. The dismissal of the federal lawsuit marks the end of one chapter in Bennett’s fight for justice against sexual harassment.

The withdrawal of the lawsuit against Cuomo signifies a significant development in the ongoing legal battle between Bennett and the former governor. As Bennett continues her pursuit of justice through the state lawsuit, the case sheds light on the complexities of addressing sexual harassment in the workplace and holding powerful individuals accountable for their actions.