Page 28 - bon-dia-aruba-20210807

A28 u.s. news
Diasabra 7 augustus 2021

Sheriff: Aide who accused Cuomo files criminal complaint

rubbed her rear end while
they were posing together for Cuomo pulled her in for a Prosecutors in several New
a photo. hug as she prepared to leave York counties have said they
the governor’s office. Told are interested in investigat-
The sheriff’s office didn’t that “you’re going to get us in ing claims of inappropriate
immediately provide a copy trouble,” Cuomo replied, “I touching by Cuomo, but
of the complaint. A request don’t care,” and slammed the all had said they needed the
for comment was sent to door shut. He slid his hand women involved in the alle-
Cuomo’s lawyer, Rita Glavin. up her blouse, and grabbed gations to make a formal re-
her breast over her bra, ac- port.
The Albany County district cording to the report.
attorney would not confirm The Albany Police Depart-
that they received a com- “I have to tell you, it was — ment, the primary law en-
plaint, saying they had no at the moment, I was in such forcement agency for the
plans to release any informa- shock that I could just tell you city, had been informed of
tion because “this is an ongo- that I just remember looking the woman’s allegations re-
ing matter that is under re- down seeing his hand, seeing garding the encounter at the
view,” spokesperson Cecilia the top of my bra,” she told mansion several months ago
(AP) — A woman who ac- told the New York Post. Walsh said in an email. investigators. and had spoken to her lawyer,
cused Gov. Andrew Cuo- but didn’t open an investiga-
mo of groping her breast “The end result could either Cuomo has denied touching She pulled away from Cuo- tion at the time because she
at the governor’s state be it sounds substantiated and anyone inappropriately. His mo and said, “You’re crazy.” didn’t make a report.
residence filed a criminal an arrest is made and it would lawyers have acknowledged
complaint against him, be up to the DA to prosecute that Cuomo and the woman The woman had initially The criminal investigation
the Albany County Sher- the arrest,” he told the news- met together on the day of planned to take the harass- comes as lawmakers were
iff ’s office said Friday. paper, which was the first the alleged encounter, but ment claims “to the grave.” moving toward a likely im-
to report on the complaint. said he never groped her. peachment proceeding over
The complaint, filed Thurs- “Just because of who it is we “(A)ny time he touched me, I the allegations.
day with the sheriff’s office, are not going to rush it or de- Calls for Cuomo’s resigna- felt like it was inappropriate.
is the first known instance lay it,” Apple said. tion or impeachment soared He was my boss, let alone Lawyers working for the
where a woman has made this week after an indepen- the Governor of the State of state Assembly sent a letter to
an official report with a law Apple didn’t immediately re- dent investigation overseen New York, so I definitely felt Cuomo Thursday giving him
enforcement agency over al- turn a phone message from by the state attorney general’s he abused his power and def- until Aug. 13 to respond to
leged misconduct by Cuomo. The Associated Press. His office concluded that Cuomo initely knew that he had this the allegations against him or
office confirmed to The AP sexually harassed 11 wom- presence about him, very in- provide documents to bolster
“We take every complaint se- that the report had been filed. en and worked to retaliate timidating, no one ever told his defense.
riously,” Albany County Un- against one of his accusers. him that he was wrong nor
dersheriff William Rice said The Cuomo aide who filed were you told to do so. He The state Assembly’s judicia-
Friday. the report has accused him of The attorney general’s report definitely knew what he was ry committee plans to meet
reaching under her shirt and describes a series of times doing was inappropriate,” she Monday to discuss the pos-
It’s possible the Democratic fondling her when they were Cuomo allegedly acted in- testified. sibility of impeachment pro-
governor could be arrested alone together at the Execu- appropriately with the aide ceedings. Nearly two-thirds
if investigators or the county tive Mansion last year. The described as Executive As- Cuomo has adamantly de- of the legislative body have
district attorney determine he woman also told investiga- sistant #1, culminating with nied touching her breasts, already said they favor an im-
committed a crime, Albany tors with the attorney gen- the groping encounter at the saying “I would have to lose peachment trial if he won’t
County Sheriff Craig Apple eral’s office that Cuomo once mansion on Nov. 16, 2020. my mind to do such a thing.” resign.

Arizona state senator accused of sexual conduct with minor

(AP) — Democratic Arizona able and it was not clear whether and that they stand behind all
state Sen. Tony Navarrete has he has an attorney who could survivors of sexual assault.
been arrested on suspicion of comment on his behalf. He was
sexual conduct with a minor, expected to make an initial court “These allegations and (the) ar-
police said Friday. appearance Friday afternoon. rest are serious and deeply trou-
bling. Right now, it’s important
Police received a report on Sgt. Andrew Williams, a Police for due process to take place
Wednesday about sexual con- Department spokesman, de- through our judicial system,” the
tact that allegedly occurred in clined to provide additional in- statement said.
2019. Navarrete, who represents formation on the case, saying
a west Phoenix district, was ar- police didn’t want to draw atten- Republican Sen. Kelly Townsend
rested Thursday after detectives tion to the case “for the sake of said on Twitter she took the posi-
interviewed a juvenile victim the victim.” tion that Navarrete was innocent
and witnesses, police said in a unless proven guilty.
statement. Navarrete announced earlier this
week that he had tested positive “However, if it’s true, then
Navarrete, 35, was booked into for COVID-19 and was experi- I don’t ever want to lay eyes
jail on suspicion of multiple encing minor symptoms while on you again, @NavarreteA,”
counts of sexual conduct with a isolating at home. Townsend said in her tweet.
minor, the statement said.
Navarrete is serving his second The Arizona Legislature is not
Navarrete did not immediately term in the Senate after serving in session. Lawmakers finished
respond to email and phone one term in the House. their 2021 regular session in late
messages seeking comment. June and, unless a special ses-
Senate Democrats said in a state- sion is called, will next convene
Court records on Navarrete’s ment they were “deeply dis- in January for the 2020 regular
case were not immediately avail- turbed” by Navarrete’s arrest session.