Screenshot. I believe it was my black coat that has a zipper on it and I think it has a belt with it too.Q. An updated version of this Disclaimer will be effective immediately upon the posting of the revised Disclaimer unless otherwise specified. The report was made public on Tuesday, August 3, 2021. Cuomo has denied any wrongdoing following the state AGs report and has refused widespread calls to resign. There are 11 women whose accounts have been corroborated by a mountain of evidence. "And there has been no open-minded fact-finding in this case. "It was not welcomed. Those troopers that are there, they are not there to protect me. The staffer who accused Governor Andrew Cuomo of groping her in the Executive Mansion and other harassing behavior has come forward: Brittany Commisso, executive assistant to the . "I hope that the other women understand and that I've seen them and I support them. The governor needs to be held accountable. In early 2020, Commisso said Cuomo kissed her on the lips during one of his routine hugs. Commisso claims Cuomo also hugged her on other occasions when she was leaving and attempted to kiss her. "Maybe to him, he thought this was normal. During her testimony, the investigators discuss the issue with her in detail and try to lead her to resolve this discrepancy. Commisso alleges that in late 2020, Cuomo hugged her, reached under her blouse, and grabbed her breast in the Executive Mansion. Gov. Cuomo isolated as accuser Brittany Commisso speaks in - syracuse Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. "I believe that he groped me, he touched me, not only once, but twice.". Executive assistant of Gov. She has her hand around his neck, resting on his shoulder, leans her head against him, and smiles confidently, happily, and like she just won a prize. X in the Position Statement, but she has since revealed her identity. Heres what you need to know about Commisso, who filed a criminal complaint against the governor last week. '", "I felt like he was personally saying it to me that 'I never touched anyone inappropriately,'" Commisso explained. In no event will the Operator, or its partners, employees or agents, be liable to you or anyone else for any decision made or action taken in reliance on the information on the Website, or for any consequential, special or similar damages, even if advised of the possibility of such damages. Brittany Damino Commisso has worked in various roles in the local and state government, according to her now-deleted LinkedIn profile. ", Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple said on Saturday that his office will undertake a criminal investigation based on Commisso's complaint. But she claimed that Frank, a former Albany Common Council member who works for the New York State and Local Retirement System, then tried to use the affair claim as a way to get out of paying child support for their daughter allegedly threatening to amend his no-fault divorce filing to one saying she had been unfaithful. It was, it was I don't have the words. Home; About Us; BLog; Contact Us "To me this was a dream job. Rita Glavin, Cuomos lawyer, in a letter last month demanding that Albany Sheriff Craig Apple, preserve all records in the criminal probe, asked that any communications involving Commisso and his son be retained. Her text message exchange with McGrath indicates that they considered the matter entertaining and desirable. The next day, March 7, Commisso met with EA#2 and EA#3 and retained a personal injury lawyer, which indicates she was looking for a monetary award in a civil lawsuit. By accessing and using the Website and Services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by the terms of this Disclaimer. People dont understand that this is the governor of the state of New York. I would have to lose my mind to do such a thing. I definitely remember wearing a blouse that when you looked down you could see the top of my bra. Andrew Cuomoof sexual assault in state Attorney General Letitia James explosive report last week revealed her identity in a new interview, saying the Democratic governor "broke the law" and must be held accountable. You took your coat off? So I wasnt expecting to stay there long.[He gives her the phone, she copy-pastes the text and sends it].Page 142: I gave him his phone back and I think he said why dont you take your coat off or something, and I said well, Im okay, I have to go back to the office. Rita Glavin, an attorney for the governor,said Fridaythat emails allegedly undermining Commissos story were not included in James' investigation. ", "And, but then I also after a couple of months and processing this whole thing, I do want her to know that she has a voice," Commisso said. I was so nervous. I remember now I that if I recall correctly when I went to leave and stood back up I just put my coat back on, but I dont believe I zippered it.Q. The divorce proceedings are ongoing, with a trial set for March 16, 2022, in Albany court. "And, yes, you did. Andrew Cuomo's aide, who accused him of groping and kissing her on the lips, has publicly identified herself as Brittany Commisso. Commissos father, Frank Commisso Sr., also a Democrat, has been a member of the Albany County Legislature since 1983. Im, like, swearing in my mind. And who do you tell?, Commissos attorney, Brian Premo, told the Times-Union in July 2021 that his client would be willing to take a lie detector test. We have a lot of fact finding to do, we have a lot of interviews to do. Apple said that would include a lengthy interview with Commisso. The governor has repeatedly denied that ever took place and quite frankly, when she first raised this in early March, he was stunned.. Commissos estranged husband ran unsuccessfully for Albany mayor in 2017 as a Democrat. She accuses him of groping her. I know what she meant by that. Commisso told the newspaper that in late 2019, she began to be called upon to work directly with Cuomo more frequently. (AG report p. 17-18). Brittany Commisso - Popular Bio Andrew Cuomo Alleged Victim Brittany Commisso Breaks Her Silence That never happened.. You said you were wearing a blouse, what did your blouse look like?A. Commisso also explained that she wanted to protect her daughter, saying, "I didn't want her to have to deal with anything that came along with this. Alex Murdaugh sentenced to life in prison for murders of wife and son, Biden had cancerous skin lesion removed last month, doctor says, White supremacist and Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes kicked out of CPAC, Tom Sizemore, actor known for "Saving Private Ryan" and "Heat," dies at 61, Biden team readies new advisory panel ahead of expected reelection bid, At least 10 dead after winter storm slams South, Midwest, House Democrats unhappy with White House handling of D.C.'s new criminal code. Now, she is speaking publicly for the first time since filing a criminal complaint against Cuomo last week just days after the attorney general's report was released. The investigators established the breast groping incident took place on November 16 based on a photo. The independent investigators selected are widely respected professionals, recognized for their legal and investigatory ability. Not sliding it. He told reporters on August 7, I cannot get into the nature of her specific allegations, at this time obviously we are in the very infant stages of this investigation. I then felt while taking the selfie, his hand go down my back onto my butt, and he started rubbing it. "Not only embarrassed for what was going on, I was embarrassed that a governor wanted a selfie and I couldn't take it. The party photos serving as evidence show two women who are squeezing themselves against their abuser. He broke the law., Commisso added, I didnt say anything this whole time. This crucial fact was discussed during the testimony and omitted by the AG and her investigators in the report. She has also accused Cuomo of reaching under her blouse to grope her breast during an incident at the Executive Mansion in Albany last year. It also appears that Commisso either photo-shopped the picture or used a filter. Brittany Commisso (born in 1989; Age: 32 years old) is an American Executive Assistant #1 from New York. She then made it a priority to delete blurry photos and photoshop or filter the remaining one while sitting next to her assailant. Acceptance of this disclaimer: You acknowledge that you have read this Disclaimer and agree to all its terms and conditions. Andrew Cuomo said that the Democrat needs counseling as she described his "sexually aggressive" groping that led her to lodge a criminal complaint last week.. Brittany Commisso Husband, Photos, Age, Biography, Wiki She said, You just wait and see, and the governor will be stealing you,' the woman said. She said youre crazy and pulled away. was groped, I was just so confused and so taken aback by it. What did your coat look like?A. Thats when his alleged creepy behavior began, with hugs she says the governor gave her with the intention of getting some personal sexual satisfaction out of it., He thought this was normal to me, and the other women that he did this to, Commisso said in the interview aired Monday. Kevin Spacey faces 7 more sexual offense charges in the U.K. CBS and Les Moonves reach settlement with N.Y. attorney general, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo resigns over sexual harassment claims: "The best way I can help now is to step aside". Was that a blouse that you were wearing on top? In the attorney generals report, the investigators wrote, that Brittany Commisso repeatedly testified that she felt she had to tolerate the Governors physical advances and suggestive comments because she feared the repercussions if she did not. The report added that Commisso, testified that she needed the income (including the overtime pay received from working on weekends), particularly as she was going through a divorce and was focused on not risking losing her job., During her interview with the Albany Times-Union in April 2021, which was published without naming her, Commisso said about the incident when she said she. She believes this is because of the seriousness of her allegations. Her interview with the news show and newspaper comes almost a week after Attorney General Letitia James released the report into sexual misconduct and sexual harassment accusations against Cuomo, a Democrat who has been New Yorks governor since 2011. The investigation was led by employment law attorney Anne Clark and former federal prosecutor Joon Kim. Brittany Commisso was identified as "Executive Assistant #1" in James report accusing Cuomo of sexually harassing 11 women, including current and former state employees, from 2013 to 2020 in violation of state and federal law. In a damning report released last week by New York State Attorney General Letitia James, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is accused of sexually harassing 11 women. "There was a speech that he gave less than a month ago, and in his speech, he said, 'If you give New Yorkers the truth and you give New Yorkers the facts, the good, the bad, the ugly, they will do the right thing.' By that November, the Times Union reported, she was being called to assist Cuomo more frequently, including at the Executive Mansion. Commisso testified that she wore a coat and specifically points out that she didnt take it off because she was going back to the office. Any suggestion that attempts to undermine the credibility of these women or this investigation is unfortunate., Anne Clark: Meet the Lawyer Who Led the Cuomo Sexual Harassment Investigation, Brittany Commisso: Cuomo Executive Assistant #1 Speaks Out Publicly, Copyright 2023 Heavy, Inc. All rights reserved. She told two contradictory stories about the reason she deleted the blurry photos which would have been evidence. And I felt as though if I said something that I know, who was going to believe me?, CBS THIS MORNING EXCLUSIVE: The aide who accused NY Gov. Not, you know, quickly brushing over it rubbing my butt.". I never want her to be afraid to speak. The governor needs to be held accountable. Andrew Cuomo: Accuser Brittany Commisso says governor broke law Former Cuomo assistant Brittany Commisso said Sunday on CBS's "Face the Nation" in a preview clip from "CBS This Morning" that what Gov. Commisso is one of 11 women accusing Andrew Cuomo of sexual harassment in a recent investigation. It was not normal, it was not welcome, and it was certainly not consensual.. Who is Cuomo accuser Brittany Commisso? | Fox News Brittany Commisso (born in 1989; Age: 32 years old) is an American Executive Assistant #1 from New York.She is one of the accusers of Andrew Cuomo who works as the governor of New York since 2011. The two are in the midst of contested divorce proceedings and have a daughter, who is around 6 years old. In an exclusive "CBS This Morning" and the Times Union interview, Brittany Commisso says Governor Andrew Cuomo groped and sexually harassed her. Neither of them said anything and she walked out. She is one of the accusers of Andrew Cuomo who works as the governor of New York since 2011. Cuomo executive assistant Brittany Commisso goes public, describes "I believe that my story appears first due to the nature of the inappropriate conduct that the governor did to me," Commisso said. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. I could only assume that is coming from Cuomos attorneys or his people., While this is all going on these rumors are going around and being told to me, she said, and now Im learning that they were possibly trying to work with my ex-husband to try to get him to, like he said, do his dirty work.. Apple added, I had a female victim come forward, which had to be the hardest thing shes ever done in her life and make an allegation of criminal conduct against the governor., The attorney generals office issued a statement after Apples press conference saying, We will cooperate fully with the Albany sheriff and turn over all evidence related to this complainant. Cuomo accuser: 'I have a voice and now I've decided to use it' She has provided several variations of her breast groping story that differ significantly in what happened when it happened, and why she was in the Mansion (see details further below). Cuomo allegedly began harassing Brittany Commisso around November 2019, and she accused him of groping her on New Year's Eve 2019. I broke down. Until now, the 32-year-old victim was being . She then worked in the Albany County Alternate Public Defenders Office until late 2017, when she was hired as an executive assistant in the governors office, the Times Union reported. "What He Did To Me Was A Crime": Assistant Who Says Cuomo Groped Her Cuomo Called Brittany Commisso, Aide He Allegedly Groped, a 'Gossip He stopped and she left without further exchange, went to her car, and headed back to the Capitol. Commisso is one of the 11 women who Cuomo was accused of sexually harassing in a damning report by New York State Attorney General Letitia James. Brittany Commisso's CBS News interview was aired after the resignation of Cuomo's top aide Melissa DeRosa. There are no witnesses and Cuomo denies all of these conversations. Frank Commisso Jr.'s (@commissoforalbany) profile on Instagram 24 posts brittany commisso lying - tamojuntocefetmg.org Brittany Commisso, one of the women accusing ex-Gov. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is seen during a press conference on March 2, 2020 in New York City.. Commisso was. They have a young daughter named Gianna. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. All rights reserved. The couple tied the knots in 2016, at their native in Albany, with close people as attendees. Cuomo accuser Brittany Commisso says New York governor needs counseling If Cuomo wanted the photo or wanted to exercise power, he would have used his phone. The documentary evidence does not support what she said. After finishing her draft of the speech, she said, Mr. Cuomo suggested the two of them take a selfie. From 2013 to 2017, Commisso worked as a confidential secretary in the Albany County Department of Law, according to her LinkedIn profile. They denied the raise and made no other promises. I never want her to be afraid of any person in power, a man or a woman.. Neither the elder nor the junior Frank Commisso has spoken out publicly about the accusations made by Brittany Commisso. Andrew Cuomo of groping her at the Executive Mansion, is interviewed at the Times Union on Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Colonie, N.Y. Will Waldron/Times . In his defense, Mr. Cuomo told investigators that Ms. Commisso was the initiator of any hugs between them, the report said. Cuomo allegedly endured harassment, An investigator says that an executive assistant of Governor Andrew Cuomo endured a series of inappropriate encounters with Governor Andrew Cuomo. Lastly, the photo itself clearly contradicts her story. Brittany Commisso one of the previously unnamed 11 women who New York Gov. I would never on my own get up and initiate a hug with the governor, Ms. Commisso said in a joint interview with CBS This Morning and the Albany Times Union. This disclaimer was created with the disclaimer generator. Brittany Commisso is the woman identified as "executive assistant #1" in the New York Attorney General's investigation into Governor Andrew Cuomo. Brittany Commisso, who was previously only identified as "Executive Assistant #1," has accused Cuomo of multiple instances of sexual harassment and told CBS's "This Morning" and the Albany Times . Advertisement. She walked out and he walked back into his office. Anyone can read what you share. interview with CBS News and the Albany Times-Union, with the Albany Times-Union in April 2021. She told the newspaper that when she first started working in the governors office, a woman who also worked on his staff told her Oh, youre going to get stolen. I just smiled. CUOMO FOLLOWS WELL-USED PLAYBOOK BY SCANDAL-PLAGUED POLITICIANS: DENY WRONGDOING, WAIT IT OUT. I remember (thinking), You have to pull yourself together even if you have to sit here for a couple minutes to do that. If I told someone, Im done. The sequence also changed from groping upon arrival (April version) to happening after she sent the text to Benton and called her from Cuomos phone to confirm receipt of the text. ', Ted Cruz says 2024 Senate re-election will be 'firefight as Democrats come at him with everything they have, Maryland mayor facing child pornography charges was frequent donor to Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin. Her selfie story is incongruent with facts and is nonsensical. Both her and Cuomos forehead wrinkles are clearly smoothened out / significantly reduced and his hairline moved back by doing so. Commisso has continued to work at the Capitol, according to the Times-Union, which wrote in April 2021: In the backdrop of the dual investigations and the political theater, the young woman at the center of the most serious allegations has soldiered on, reporting to her job at the Capitol where she has endured an occasional dirty look and fewer work assignments. But everything changed a few months later when she saw Cuomo deny accusations of sexual harassment during a press conference in March 2021 and heard him say that he "never touched anyone inappropriately. The investigation was conducted to support a predetermined narrative and in our legal system, both sides are heard and given access to the evidence, but here, instead of acting as independent fact-finders, the investigators acted as prosecutors, judge, and jury. It worked. 100%.". ALBANY Brittany Commisso, the executive assistant whom Gov. And he said twice I told them and they know. When we do, we will post a notification on the main page of the Website. Only then did she tell EA#2, who was also at the party, that Cuomo had groped her breast. This is inconsistent with the narrative that she was nervously shaking and sent the photo to McGrath in real-time. Additionally, on November 25, Cuomo was 225 miles away in Rochester holding a briefing around noon, and then giving out turkeys.The task is now specified as assisting him how to text a note from his iPhone to Benton. We've received your submission. And he said, 'Oh, those aren't those aren't good.'". Brittany Commisso began working as an executive assistant in the governor's office in 2017. What he did to me was a crime. "I have to tell you it was at the moment I was in such shock that I could just tell you that I just remember looking down seeing his hand, seeing the top of my bra and I remember it was like a little even the cup the kind of bra that I had to the point I could tell you doesnt really fit me properly, it was a little loose, I just remember seeing exactly that. "That is not true. They ignored it. A footnote in the report notes that Commisso did not remember the exact date of the incident, but said it was around November 16, 2020. Blackberry PIN messages used by the Protective Services Unit to announce visitors confirmed that Commisso was there on November 16, 2020. Cuomo could face a couple of misdemeanor charges based on Commissos allegations, Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple said Saturday. He is also facing a criminal investigation by the Albany County Sheriffs Office in connection to Commissos accusations, while prosecutors in Westchester County, Nassau County and Manhattan have also opened criminal inquiries. Ms. Glavin has also suggested that Ms. Commisso was not alone with the governor at the Executive Mansion on the day in question and was sent there for different reasons than she has told investigators and journalists. I remember seeing I was wearing a black bra and I could see my black bra cup. This salary is 7 percent lower than average and 21 percent higher than median salary in Executive Chamber. Andrew Cuomo groped her under her shirt publicly discussed her allegations against the governor for the first time in a . Commisso claims Cuomo told her to send the picture to McGrath but not to share it with anyone else. []. 2021 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This indicates she was looking for a financial settlement and/or judgment. Yes, I definitely had my coat on me.Q. The date was established as November 16 based on photo and state records. On March 3, 2021, Commisso started her allegations, after she and her coworkers watched Cuomos press conference when he said he never touched any woman inappropriately. In essence she has accused Governor Cuomo of sexual assault. And I got a clear photo sitting down," Commisso said. After the AG announced the findings of her result and published the report, Rita Glavin provided a detailed timeline of activities on November 16, 2020, which shows that the incident could not have happened that day. The report described in detail efforts to retaliate against another woman who had spoken out publicly about her allegation against the governor in December. Brittany Commisso is 32 years old as per her interview with the CBS news recently, Simialrly, she started working for the governor's office as an Executive Assistant in 2017. Finally, after asking about details of her blouse, they stop saying its fine before she can make it worse and omit this whole crucial part of her testimony and the fact that she wore a coat completely. Andrew M. Cuomo of groping her in the Executive Mansion and filed a criminal complaint against him, forcefully rebutted the governors claims that she initiated or welcomed physical contact between them, in an interview that aired on Monday. Commisso has said she initially kept silent about Cuomos alleged gross behavior because she feared retribution from his staff and because she wanted to protect her daughter. Commisso was hired by the Executive Chamber as a $62,000-a-year administrative assistant in fiscal 2019 and previously worked as a . Lyons claims that after Commisso told TU and the investigators the groping had occurred around or after Nov. 16 [] she later told the Times Union that the incident had occurred weeks later.Note: In her Submission to the AG on October 20, 2021, Rita Glavin established that the only day Commisso was in the Mansion was December 7, 2020, which was also the day the Sheriffs office claimed the incident happened between 3.51 pm and 4.07 pm.