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New York (AP) - After new allegations of sexual harassment, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has apologized for possible "misinterpretations" of his behavior.
“I admit that some of the things I have said have been misinterpreted as unwanted flirtation.
As far as anyone felt that way, I'm really sorry, »said Cuomo on Sunday evening (local time).
The prominent Democrat also emphasized: "I have never touched anyone inappropriately."
Nor did he make immoral advances to anyone.
The citizens of New York deserved an independent investigation of the allegations.
Cuomo's office announced an investigation on Sunday.
New York Attorney General Letitia James and Chief Justice of the State Court of Appeals, Janet DiFiore, have been asked to appoint a politically independent lawyer, Cuomo adviser Beth Garvey said.
This lawyer should publish a report after a thorough review.
"All employees of the governor's office will cooperate fully."
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Cuomo came under additional pressure after the new harassment allegations became known.
A former health advisor in Cuomo's government accused the now 63-year-old of not touching her last spring, but of verbally harassing her.
"I understood that the governor wanted to sleep with me, and felt terribly uncomfortable and was afraid," said 25-year-old ex-employee Charlotte Bennett of the New York Times (Saturday).
A few days ago, a former economic advisor had accused the governor of having sexually molested her.
Lindsey Boylan (36) accused Cuomo, among other things, of kissing her on the lips without asking in his Manhattan office in 2018.
Boylan wrote on the online platform Medium: "Governor Andrew Cuomo has created a culture within his administration in which sexual harassment and harassment are so ubiquitous that it is not only tolerated but expected."
Cuomo silenced his critics through intimidation.
Bennett and Boylan have left their jobs in the Cuomo government.
White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki called the two women's allegations "serious."
She told CNN on Sunday that the Democratic US President Joe Biden supported a quick and independent investigation.
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Cuomo has been a beacon of hope for many Americans since the beginning of the corona pandemic in New York almost a year ago.
The democrat promised to align his policy with scientific necessities.
He presented himself as an alternative to the then Republican US President Donald Trump.
In fact, Cuomo's crisis management has earned him a lot of praise, including from the renowned US immunologist Anthony Fauci.
In fact, New York got the corona situation somewhat under control after a real explosion in the number of infections in spring 2020.
Cuomo recently came under pressure because of high death rates in nursing homes.
The background to this is that the number of deaths in homes in New York has recently been revised upwards from 8,500 to more than 15,000. Several media outlets - including the New York Times - reported that state representatives were concealing the extent by Cuomo suspect.
As a consequence, they planned to restrict his powers to directly issue emergency measures.
It was also revealed that the federal FBI and investigators in New York State were investigating government policies regarding nursing homes.
According to a survey, the approval ratings for Cuomo have fallen significantly.
The Marist Institute announced a few days ago that 49 percent of New Yorkers said the governor did a good job - last July it was 66 percent.
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© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210301-99-633909 / 2
NYT articles on nursing homes
Newsweek articles on nursing homes
NYT article on Bennett's allegations
Medium contribution by Boylan
Marist poll
Message from Garvey
Communication Cuomos