I was just reading the story in today’s NY Times about how the state reached a settlement with one of Andrew Cuomo’s accusers. I realize how confusing I find the law. I have questions.
> This settlement includes no admission of guilt or wrongdoing on the part of either Cuomo or New York State. If that’s the case, on what basis is the claimant being awarded close to half a million dollars? I mean, if no one has done anything wrong, why is she winning this financial settlement?
> I understand I’m probably just asking the same question in a different way. But I’m really disturbed by this situation. If the state is agreeing to pay Brittany Commisso $450,000, doesn’t that mean she has suffered some egregious behavior? Why else would she be getting this deal? If this money is not compensation for what Cuomo did to her, precisely WHAT is she being paid for?
> Why are we, NYS taxpayers, on the hook for almost half a million dollars? Shouldn’t Cuomo be liable for this restitution? After all, he’s the one who groped her and created a hostile work environment for her and numerous other women.
> There is another statement in the article that jumped out at me as utterly bizarre:
“She [Ms. Commisso] also agreed not to seek employment with the executive chamber through 2030 [as part of this settlement].”
Why? Why are HER employment opportunities being restricted? What has SHE done wrong? She has not been accused of any crime in this case.
> Last question.
“…he [Cuomo] continues to vehemently deny any sexual misconduct, despite findings from the New York State attorney general, the State Assembly and the U.S. Department of Justice.”
If the AG, the Assembly, and the DOJ all found him guilty of sexual misconduct, why wasn’t he brought to trial? Why did judges dismiss criminal charges? After all, 13 women, I believe, brought credible charges against him. Is it not suspicious that he avoided trial?
Forgive me if my questions seem ignorant but for the life of me I cannot understand how he not only gets away with all of this but how many of my fellow New Yorkers think that he deserves to be our mayor. It’s mind boggling.
Thank you.