A third woman is accusing Governor Andrew Cuomo of sexual harassment – leading Long Island Rep. Kathleen Rice to call for the resignation of her fellow Democrat.
The latest chapter in a story that is spiraling out of Cuomo’s control came Monday night when The New York Times published the account of Anna Ruch, who said she felt uncomfortable and embarrassed when the governor asked to kiss her at a wedding reception in New York City in 2019.
Ruch told The Times said she tried to dissuade Cuomo’s advances, but that she felt she “didn’t have a choice in that matter.”
She said Cuomo then placed his hands on her face and kissed her on the cheek.
Following the publication of Ruch’s accusations, Rep. Rice, a former District Attorney and onetime ally of the governor’s, called on him to step down.
At least seven Democratic members of the legislature are also calling for Cuomo’s resignation.
The allegation from Ruch came after Cuomo was already dealing with the accusations of two former state aides who aid they were sexually harassed by the governor.
Last week, Lindsey Boylan detailed her own accusations, saying the governor sexually harassed her and gave her an unwanted kiss on the mouth while in his office.
The second woman, Charlotte Bennet, came out this weekend, and said Cuomo repeatedly made inappropriate comments to her while she was working for him.
The governor denied Boylan’s accusations while offering a muted apology after The Times published Bennett’s accusations, saying sometimes he “is playful and makes jokes.”
On Monday, Bennett fired back, saying in a statement that "the governor has refused to acknowledge or take responsibility for his predatory behavior. As we know, abusers – particularly those with tremendous amounts of power – are often repeat offenders who engage in manipulative tactics to diminish allegations, blame victims, deny wrongdoing and escape consequences."
Cuomo is now cooperating with the Attorney General’s Office and has allowed her to hire outside counsel to investigate these sexual harassment allegations.
The Governor’s Office did not immediately respond to comment on this latest accusation.