On Sunday, a former adviser to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo alleged that the politician sexually harassed her for years, and many “saw it, and watched.”
In a series of tweets, Lindsey Boylan, who worked as deputy secretary for economic development and special advisor to Gov. Cuomo, tweeted that during her tenure with him, he “sexually harassed me.”
“That because I am a woman, I can work hard my whole life to better myself and help others and yet still fall victim, as countless women over generations have. Mostly silently,” Boylan wrote. “I hate that some men, like @NYGovCuomo, abuse their power.”
“Many saw it and watched,” Boylan continued.
“I could never anticipate what to expect: would I be grilled on my work (which was very good) or harassed about my looks. Or would it be both in the same conversation?” Boylan added.
Yes, @NYGovCuomo sexually harassed me for years. Many saw it, and watched.
I could never anticipate what to expect: would I be grilled on my work (which was very good) or harassed about my looks. Or would it be both in the same conversation? This was the way for years.
— Lindsey Boylan (@LindseyBoylan) December 13, 2020
Cuomo spokeswoman Caitlin Girouard told NBC New York that “There is simply no truth to these claims.”
On the other hand, Boylan says that she isn’t interested in speaking with journalists, adding that she was upset to be “put in this situation at all.’
Two weeks ago, Boylan tweeted that working at Cuomo’s office was the “most toxic team environment” that she’s ever had. She also that people are terrified of Cuomo.
After Boylan left the governor’s office in 2018, she decided to run for Congress in New York’s 10th District in 2020. Challenger Democratic Rep. Jerry Nadler defeated her. Now, Boylan is running for Manhattan borough president.
Cuomo, also a Democrat, is currently serving his third term as governor.