Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has taken legal action by filing a defamation lawsuit against Charlotte Bennett, who previously accused him of sexual harassment. This move comes amidst proposed legislation in Albany that could have potentially limited such legal actions initiated by individuals who are alleged victims.
The defamation suit was filed in Manhattan Supreme Court on a Friday and argues that Bennett, alongside her attorney Debra Katz, made damaging remarks about Cuomo, even after she voluntarily withdrew her federal lawsuit against him in December. Cuomo’s legal team claims that Bennett shared a harmful tweet that falsely accused him, which they argue she did with intent to harm his reputation.
An investigation carried out by Attorney General Letitia James found instances of misconduct against Cuomo involving multiple women, including Bennett. However, Cuomo’s lawsuit contends that the investigation was politically motivated and that the allegations have not stood up in either civil or criminal courts.
In the lawsuit, Cuomo’s attorneys assert that Bennett’s withdrawal from her federal lawsuit was tactical, allowing her to escape a detailed examination of her claims under oath. Cuomo’s desire to clear his name is central to his lawsuit, as he aims to prevent Bennett and her representatives from repeating what he describes as falsehoods.
Interestingly, on the same day Cuomo filed his lawsuit, it was reported that Bennett had settled a separate lawsuit against New York State for $450,000. This settlement is part of a larger cost that has allegedly exceeded $9 million, which taxpaying citizens are bearing to defend Cuomo and the state against Bennett’s claims.
Cuomo’s current legal stance feels like a shift from previous acknowledgments he made in early 2021. At that time, he expressed regret for his actions that may have caused discomfort but has since pivoted to assert his innocence and fight back against the allegations.
The political landscape in New York is witnessing additional developments regarding proposed legislation designed to protect individuals from defamation lawsuits by those accused of harassment. This legislation, dubbed the “Speak Your Truth Act,” would require those accused to cover the legal costs of the alleged victims if they lose a defamation case. This type of law has already been passed in California and is gathering support in other states.
Proponents of this new legislation, such as state Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Assemblywoman Jessica González-Rojas, highlight the intent to shield victims from intimidation through legal action. They believe that Cuomo’s lawsuit against Bennett exemplifies the kind of behavior they aim to combat. The idea is that such lawsuits can be used by powerful individuals to silence victims and deter them from coming forward.
Cuomo’s campaign has criticized these proposed bills, arguing that they could discourage people who have been wrongly accused from defending themselves against false claims. Cuomo’s spokesperson emphasized that every individual deserves the right to combat untrue allegations, particularly in cases like Bennett’s, where she withdrew her lawsuit shortly before answering questions under oath.
Bennett initially filed her federal lawsuit in September 2022 against Cuomo and several of his aides but dropped it months later just days before she would have had to provide a sworn testimony. Cuomo has described the entire situation as politically charged and suggested that his legal challenges stem from political motivations rather than legitimate claims of wrongdoing.
Overall, the defamation lawsuit filed by Cuomo marks a significant moment in New York’s evolving legal and political narrative surrounding sexual harassment allegations and the rights of both accusers and the accused. As the state grapples with these complex issues, the implications of proposed laws will continue to be a topic of significant debate in the days to come.
