Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has announced plans to file a defamation lawsuit against Charlotte Bennett, a former aide who previously accused him of sexual harassment.
This move comes shortly after Bennett dropped her federal lawsuit against Cuomo, though her civil case against the State of New York remains active. Her attorney, Debra Katz, hinted to the Albany Times-Union that a settlement with the state may be forthcoming.
In a court filing, Cuomo alleged that Bennett defamed him in a statement she made on December 9 when withdrawing her federal suit. In the statement, Bennett accused Cuomo of using his legal team to “harass me and my family.” Cuomo’s lawyers denied this claim and said the former governor plans to clear his name and prevent Bennett from repeating what they described as false allegations of sexual harassment.
Charlotte Bennett, who joined Cuomo’s administration in 2019 as a 23-year-old health policy advisor, went public in 2021 with allegations of inappropriate behavior by the governor. She claimed Cuomo repeatedly asked invasive questions about her personal relationships and sex life during her time in his office.
Bennett’s decision to drop the federal lawsuit came as she was about to be deposed. Her attorney, Debra Katz, criticized Cuomo’s legal team for issuing an “astonishing number of invasive discovery requests,” seeking personal medical records ranging from gynecological to optometric care. Bennett’s legal team framed these requests as an attempt to intimidate her and discredit her allegations.
Cuomo’s attorneys dismissed Bennett’s claims, calling them baseless and part of a broader effort to tarnish the former governor’s reputation. “Cuomo fully intends to clear his name and ensure that Bennett and her agents never again repeat the falsehood that he sexually harassed Bennett,” they stated in a Thursday filing.
While the federal suit has been dismissed, Bennett’s case against the State of New York is still ongoing. The potential for a settlement with the state could further complicate Cuomo’s defamation lawsuit, setting the stage for a contentious legal battle.
