Aide Behind Cuomo Groping Allegations Makes Identity Public, Says Governor ‘Broke The Law’ - Forbes

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Topline

The woman behind the most serious allegations against New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo—that he groped her underneath her shirt at the executive mansion in Albany last year—has publicly identified herself for the first time after filing a criminal complaint against the embattled Democrat.

Key Facts

Brittany Commisso, who first made public her allegations against Cuomo in March, revealed her identity Sunday in a snippet of an interview with CBS “This Morning” and the Albany Times Union set to air in full Monday at 7 a.m. ET.

Identified as “Executive Assistant #1” in the bombshell report from the New York State Attorney General’s office last week, Commisso has accused Cuomo, 63, of reaching under her shirt and groping her breast after she was called to the governor’s mansion to resolve a minor technical issue, a claim Cuomo has repeatedly and vehemently denied.

In a 20-second clip teasing the upcoming interview, Commisso says she filed a criminal complaint with the Albany County sheriff’s office last Thursday because “it was the right thing to do” and Cuomo “needs to be held accountable.”

Commisso is married to former Albany Common Council member Frank Commisso Jr., who unsuccessfully ran for mayor of Albany in 2017, The Times Union reported in 2017.

Crucial Quote

“What he did to me was a crime … he broke the law,” Commisso said in the interview.

Key Background

Commisso is one of 11 different women whose allegations against Cuomo were deemed credible by New York State Attorney General Letitia James after a five-month investigation. According to the attorney general’s 168-page report, Commisso claimed the governor “engaged in close and intimate hugs” in 2019 and 2020, and once “reached under her blouse and grabbed her breast.” She also claimed Cuomo “put his hand on and then rubbed and grabbed her butt” while the two were taking a selfie. Cuomo has denied all allegations of inappropriate touching, with his lawyers specifically targeting the alleged groping, which say is a fabricated claim.

What To Watch For

Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple said Sunday his investigation of Commisso’s claims “could lead to an arrest” and that Cuomo would face “probably a misdemeanor, possibly a couple” if the allegations are backed up and charges are pursued. However, he highlighted his office is still “in the infant stages” of investigating.