Keep Factually independent
Whether you agree or disagree with our analysis, these conversations matter for democracy. We don't take money from political groups - even a $5 donation helps us keep it that way.
Which allegations against Cuomo involved inappropriate touching versus non-consensual sexual advances?
Executive summary
The Attorney General’s independent investigation and later federal review catalogued a range of allegations against Andrew Cuomo that include both alleged inappropriate touching (for example, groping and kissing) and alleged non‑consensual sexual advances or comments (for example, invasive questions, sexual remarks, and attempts at intimate contact described as unwanted) [1] [2] [3]. Multiple news outlets recount specific accusations such as an aide who said she was groped at the governor’s mansion and other women who said Cuomo kissed them aggressively or made sexual comments; the AG’s report concluded he sexually harassed 11 women and the DOJ found a sexually hostile workplace affecting at least 13 women [1] [4] [3].
1. Clear examples the reporting calls “inappropriate touching”
Several accounts in the Attorney General’s record and contemporaneous reporting describe physical contact that accusers characterized as groping or non‑consensual touching. Brittany Commisso testified that Cuomo “pulled me in” and his hand slid up her blouse and over her bra, which she described as groping [4]. The AG report lists instances of unwanted groping and kissing and explicitly cites “unwanted groping” among behaviors described by women who worked in or around the Executive Chamber [1] [2]. News summaries repeat the AG finding that Cuomo engaged in unwanted groping and kissing of multiple women [1] [4].
2. Examples the reporting frames as “non‑consensual sexual advances” or sexually charged behavior
Other allegations center on non‑physical or borderline‑physical advances — kissing described as aggressive, repeated sexualized comments, and intrusive questions about women’s sex lives. For example, Sherry Vill said Cuomo kissed her cheek in a way she described as “highly sexual” and later in front of family members in an aggressively intimate manner [1]. Lindsey Boylan and other women alleged repeated sexualized comments and conduct over time; the AG report catalogued kissing, sexual comments, and unwelcome advances as part of the broader pattern [1] [2]. Media summaries and the DOJ settlement describe a pattern of a sexually hostile workplace that included such non‑consensual advances and comments [3].
3. How investigators and agencies categorized the misconduct
Letitia James’ independent investigation concluded Cuomo sexually harassed eleven women with behaviors “such as unwanted groping, kissing and sexual comments” — language that groups physical groping separately from unwanted kissing and speech acts [1]. The U.S. Department of Justice investigation later described the Executive Chamber as a sexually hostile work environment and reached a settlement to address harassment and retaliation, underscoring that federal authorities saw a pattern of both touching and other non‑consensual sexual conduct [3].
4. Which allegations led to settlements or official findings
Individual allegations resulted in action: New York State agreed to a monetary settlement with Brittney Commisso over her claims that Cuomo sexually harassed her; press accounts summarized her allegation that she was groped in November 2020 [5] [4]. The AG’s report and related transcripts and exhibits remain the primary source documents cataloguing each woman’s specific claim; the AG concluded sexual harassment against multiple women including instances of groping and unwanted kissing [2] [1]. The DOJ’s settlement documented a broader, systemic problem in the Executive Chamber [3].
5. Disagreements, denials and contested interpretations
Cuomo denied the most serious allegations while acknowledging he could be “insensitive or too personal” in banter, and he has contested some characterizations and legal claims [1]. Some reporting and legal filings reflect continuing disputes over motive, credibility and context; for instance, later political coverage and legal defenses portray some accusations as politically motivated or disputed in litigation [6] [7]. Available sources do not mention verdicts of criminal conviction tied to these civil and administrative findings — they focus on investigative reports, settlements and the AG/DOJ conclusions [1] [3].
6. How to read the distinctions reporters use
Journalists and investigators typically separate allegations into three categories: [8] explicit inappropriate touching (groping, hands on breasts/over clothing), [9] forced or unwanted kissing/close contact described as sexual, and [10] non‑physical sexual advances (sexualized comments, questions about sex life, lewd remarks). The AG report and news coverage place specific allegations into those categories — for example, Commisso’s testimony is cited as groping while other complainants described aggressive kissing or repeated sexualized comments [4] [1].
7. Limitations and where to find primary records
This summary relies on press reporting, the Attorney General’s published report and the DOJ settlement materials referenced in those reports; full transcripts and exhibits from the AG’s independent investigation are available on the NY AG site for anyone seeking the primary evidence and exact wording of each allegation [2] [1] [3]. Available sources do not mention exculpatory corroborating evidence that would resolve disputes over intent or consent beyond the investigative findings and settlements [1] [5].
If you want, I can pull specific allegation excerpts from the AG transcripts/exhibits [2] and group them precisely into “inappropriate touching” versus “non‑consensual sexual advances” with direct citations.