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. Brittany Commisso, who was identified as "Executive Assistant #1" in the state attorney general's scathing report, granted an exclusive interview with "CBS This Morning" and the Times Union. 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. When we do, we will post a notification on the main page of the Website. "An Executive Chamber staff member noted that she believed Executive Assistant #1 [Brittany Commisso] and Ms. McGrath had wanted a picture with the Governor at the party and were proud of the ones taken." AG report p. 20, footnote#123. Both her and Cuomos forehead wrinkles are clearly smoothened out / significantly reduced and his hairline moved back by doing so. ", Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple said on Saturday that his office will undertake a criminal investigation based on Commisso's complaint. Letter Page#1 and Page#2. Any views or opinions are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, or individual. And the interactions she described and the timing of it dont match up at all.. Brittany was born and brought up in Albany, United States of America. Brittany Commisso begged her then-boss Andrew Cuomo for a raise and not to cut her hours in November 2020 despite the fact she'd have to leave early to pick up her daughter from school, he said. Furthermore, Commisso did not agree to an interview with the Albany Police Department. James appointed Clark and Kim to lead an independent inquiry after Cuomo tasked James office with investigating the allegations against him. From 2013 to 2017, Commisso worked as a confidential secretary in the Albany County Department of Law, according to her LinkedIn profile. Do you need anything. The report fails to note that it was the Executive Chamber that alerted the Albany Police Department and instead misleadingly states that criminal authorities [] have been alerted to the most egregious allegations. Where I said, are you saying that youre been speaking with the Cuomo people and I think he catches himself and immediately says, I never said that. On March 8, EA#2 and #3 reported the incident to the governors counsel, who relayed the information to the AGs office and GOER, the Governors Office of Employee Relations. 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 said that after watching his denial she "broke down" and told two coworkers "a little bit.". If there is any victim on this photo, it is not Commisso. Brittany Commisso has been married to Frank Commisso Jr. since 2016. This statement was hidden in a footnote of the report. Her husband filed for divorce summons with notice are recorded at Albany County Clerk on February 22, 2021, with Brittany Commisso as a defendant, 9 days before she started her allegations. A cemetery posted a personal ad for a goose whose mate died. An assistant to New York Gov. Commisso left that job for an opportunity to work for a top official at a state agency, but returned to the Executive Chamber in 2019, when, according to public records, she was hired as a $62,000-a-year administrative assistant a title she still holds to this day. 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 . And if that's what he has to say to make himself feel better, I really, I feel sorry for him. Monday August 09 2021, 4.30pm, The Times. I feel like I was being taken advantage of., The report described the alleged groping as the culmination of a series of offensive interactions that also include Cuomos alleged touching and grabbing of [Commissos] butt during hugs and, on one occasion, while taking selfies with him.. None of this is evidence of any wrongdoing on Cuomos side. And I remember looking down and I remember seeing his hand [] over my bra [] this just like went from zero to 60 in .2 seconds. 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. People dont understand that this is the governor of the state of New York. 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 . Commisso worked for Cuomo starting 2019 and her estranged husband and family are Democrats who are involved in public in the Albany area. First published on August 9, 2021 / 6:30 AM. She said that Mr. Cuomo then slammed the door shut, and slipped his hand under her shirt and grabbed her breast. She started to work for Cuomo in the Executive Chamber as an Administrative Assistant in 2019. Her estranged husband and his family are involved in Democratic politics in the Albany area. According to a witness statement, Commisso and McGrath were the ones who wanted the picture taken (2019) and were proud of these photos. Was it a blouse that had buttons up the front or just no buttons and he came up from underneath?A. Cuomo has denied all claims of sexual harassment and has thus far resisted calls for his resignation from his fellow Democrats, including President Biden. The investigations are still ongoing, and these women are currently the focus of media attention. That was my first day, and that was my first time that I said to myself, I know that wasnt normal. You hear stories about what happens at the Capitol. She claims that, during this encounter, Cuomo hugged her in a "sexually aggressive manner.". 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.. A. Yes.Q. (Screenshot from AG report, fn#214, p#31, and Screenshot from Rita Glavins Submission). And my understanding is thats how she got her job, he said. Then the investigators start asking questions about her coat because wearing a coat doesnt fit her narrative of Cuomo sliding his hand instantly and in .2 seconds under her blouse. Neither of them said anything and she walked out. She has pointed in particular to emails and phone logs to argue that Mr. Cuomo was busy working and surrounded by top aides on that day. Times Union Article, August 9, 2021:Commisso had told the Times Union in a series of interviews in March and April that the alleged groping incident took place on a workday later that month, possibly around Nov. 25. Note: Rita Glavin had already pointed out that according state records November 16 was the only day in November that Commisso was in the Mansion. Andrew is an American politician, lawyer, and author who is accused of sexually harassing women. His campaigns Twitter profile from the time shows her by his side on the campaign trail and on election night. Brittany Commisso's CBS News interview was aired after the resignation of Cuomo's top aide Melissa DeRosa. This is happening. He reached under her blouse grasping one of her breasts over her bra. His actions toward her, she said, made her uncomfortable. Blackberry PIN messages used by the Protective Services Unit to announce visitors confirmed that Commisso was there on November 16, 2020. He has until the end of this week to submit evidence in his defense in connection with a State Assembly impeachment probe. She said. The party photos serving as evidence show two women who are squeezing themselves against their abuser. The report described in detail efforts to retaliate against another woman who had spoken out publicly about her allegation against the governor in December. Asked if Cuomo was lying, Commisso replied, "Yes. Cuomo resigned on Tuesday. He kissed one on the forehead, one on the cheek. Rita Glavin, an attorney for the governor,said Fridaythat emails allegedly undermining Commissos story were not included in James' investigation. He walked toward her a second time and pulled her close. At the annual holiday party in 2019, Cuomo took a picture with Commisso and her friend McGrath. Brittany Commisso, one of the women accusing ex-Gov. Ms. Commisso told CBS and The Times-Union that she thought the governor was lying. 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. Me and my team went through the emails for that day. This Disclaimer is a legally binding agreement between you (User, you or your) and this Website operator (Operator, we, us or our). And he said, 'Oh, those aren't those aren't good.'". Commisso also apologized to Cuomo's other accusers for not coming forward and telling her own story sooner. As a result, I am currently 32 years old. Would love your thoughts, please comment. 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. 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. You took your coat off? A. I remember at first no, Im okay and he said no, you can take your coat off and I said okay. The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them. Brittany Commisso, Cuomo's Executive Assistant, Comes Forward for the First Time In her first public interview about the governor, Commisso said she believes Cuomo's treatment of her "was a crime" Before that, she worked as a confidential stenographer for the Department of Transportation, according to information provided by the Empire Center for Public Policy. An updated version of this Disclaimer will be effective immediately upon the posting of the revised Disclaimer unless otherwise specified. Times Union Interview, April 7, 2021: It was a weekday in late November. Commisso stated she thought he wanted to make McGrath jealous to see her reaction. I believe that I think what I had done was I had taken it off when I sat down, when he said I think I did take off my coat, he was like no, take your coat off, I did take off my coat. Commisso, who is 32, has a 6-year-old daughter and is in divorce proceedings with her husband, who once ran for mayor of Albany, said Cuomo groped her twice. The New York State Assembly Judiciary Committee is expected to complete its impeachment probe later this week. ", Commisso said she never planned on going public with her allegations, partly because she was worried about what might happen to her daughter. Commisso is one of 11 women accusing Andrew Cuomo of sexual harassment in a recent investigation. In her testimony on May 17, 2021, she claimed she deleted them because she didnt want Cuomo to see how shaky and nervous she was. "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. The investigation was led by employment law attorney Anne Clark and former federal prosecutor Joon Kim. Then there was at one point a hug, and then when he went to go kiss me on the cheek, he quickly turned his head and he kissed me on the lips.". CUOMO FOLLOWS WELL-USED PLAYBOOK BY SCANDAL-PLAGUED POLITICIANS: DENY WRONGDOING, WAIT IT OUT. She began working in the governors office as an executive assistant in December 2017. "He broke the law." Because he refused to pay me child support, Brittany testified. You said when you went in, you had your coat on. Her task was to help with a technical issue with his mobile phone. Brittany Commisso, the executive assistant who accused Gov. I never said that, Brittany recalled. Commissos estranged husband ran unsuccessfully for Albany mayor in 2017 as a Democrat. Commisso was married in 2016 to former Albany Common Council member Frank Commisso Jr., the son of Albany County Legislator Frank Commisso Sr., a Democrat. Only after Cuomos attorney pointed out the evidence refuting the Reports findings regarding Ms. Commisso did she file a criminal complaint with the Albany County Sheriff on August 9, 2021. 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. Andrew Cuomo's aide, who accused him of groping and kissing her on the lips, has publicly identified herself as Brittany Commisso. Ms. Commisso, in her interview, described an escalating pattern of sexual behavior during her time working with the governor. Andrew Cuomo of sexual misconduct, suggested to investigators that allies of the disgraced politician tried to meddle in her divorce proceedings in a brazen attempt to discredit her, according to disturbing new transcripts released this week. He slammed the door shut and said I dont care (she was thinking about the staff downstairs hearing it). Commisso claims Cuomo groped her in December 2019 and November 2020. She is generally described as a bubbly, outgoing person. I feel as though that Beth Garvey was asking about my relationship status to see if that was a route they could take to try to meddle in my divorce, she testified. After finishing her assignment pulled her in for a close hug. This crucial fact was discussed during the testimony and omitted by the AG and her investigators in the report. 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. Ms. Commissos allegations that Mr. Cuomo groped her and grabbed her breast in the Executive Mansion last year are among the most serious made against him. Cuomo has denied any impropriety on his part. Family, Parents, Siblings, Education. Commisso, known as. Investigators found Brittany Commisso's claims credible. The investigator who catches this lie should raise a huge red flag but lets her get away with it, McGrath is considered credible in the AGs report. He cupped my breast, she told investigators. Brittany Commisso is the woman identified as executive assistant #1 in the New York Attorney Generals investigation into Governor Andrew Cuomo. Subscribe to FOX 5 NY: _youtube.com/fox5ny_ (youtube.com/fox5ny)?sub_confirmation=1 Watch FOX 5 NY Live: fox5ny.com/live FOX 5 NY delivers breaking news, live events, investigations, politics, entertainment, business news and local stories from New York City and, Video related to brittany commisso: cuomo executive assistant #1 speaks out publicly, What's next for Cuomo after another accuser speaks out in exclusive CBS News interview, The woman who filed a criminal complaint against New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo has spoken publicly for the first time. ", "What he did was a crime," she said. The aide whos leveled the most serious sexual misconduct allegations against Gov. Three days later, on March 6, 2021 (a Saturday), Commisso was on duty for the weekend shift, but Stephanie Benton called another assistant to the Executive Mansion to work that day. Andrew Cuomo groped her under her shirt publicly discussed her allegations against the governor for the first time in a . This was wrong. I need to be photoshopped into the right of him Love this so much (see below). They ignored that the selfie was photoshopped. In addition to the two groping allegations, Commisso also claimed that the governor would hug her inappropriately and that he kissed her on the lips without her consent. Commisso claims Cuomo also hugged her on other occasions when she was leaving and attempted to kiss her. There are 11 women whose accounts have been corroborated by a mountain of evidence. Commisso was a former administrative assistant to Cuomo. Cuomo has denied touching women inappropriately, but apologized if his behavior was misinterpreted, while his attorneys have questioned the fairness and impartiality of the attorney generals investigation. Roberta Kaplan, a lawyer, resigned as chairwoman from the women's advocacy group Time's Up after outrage over the disclosure that she had been enlisted by Cuomo's team in an effort to discredit the same accuser DeRosa had targeted. After Cuomo and his attorneys responded to the report in a video statement and at a press conference, James and the attorney generals office issued a statement on August 6 saying, After multiple women made accusations that Governor Cuomo sexually harassed them, the governor, himself, requested that Attorney General James oversee an independent investigation. ", Fabien Levy, a spokesman of the state attorney general, criticized Glavins comments as "unfortunate.". And I thought to myself, that probably wasn't the best thing to say," Commisso said. Report by Executive Assistants #2 and #3, March 8, 2021:The Governor pushed her / threw her aginst the wall, put his hand under his shirt, touched her breast and kissed her. We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. I remember just being told to go in there and literally take whatever he had on his notes app and to put it into his text messages and send it to Stephanie. They are there to protect him. Brittany Commisso's claims were first detailed in a report which found Mr Cuomo sexually harassed 11 women. Although Commisso claims she felt shocked by the articles, she later gave TU an interview with more details (still anonymously), published on April 7, 2021. 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. I would never on my own get up and initiate a hug with the governor," she insisted. I never want her to be afraid of any person in power, a man or a woman.. I never want her to be afraid of any person in power, a man or a woman.". Commisso was employed by Cuomos executive chamber, making $62,000 a year as an administrative assistant from 2019 to 2020. Cuomo accuser Brittany Commisso breaks her silence to detail groping allegations and says the governor is lying; Brittany Commisso is one of 11 women referenced in a scathing report from New York . Education of Brittany Commisso She has completed high school. "Not only embarrassed for what was going on, I was embarrassed that a governor wanted a selfie and I couldn't take it. The 165-page report, in which Ms. Commisso is referred to as Executive Assistant #1, found that Mr. Cuomo harassed 11 women, most of them current or former state employees. And it's your turn to do the right thing. Commisso describes her coat as a long winter coat with a zipper and a belt. "There's a difference between being an affectionate and warm person. Commisso, now 32, alleges that the governor groped her for the first time on December 31, 2019. A selfie taken by Brittany Commisso with New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. Brittany, Frank's wife, is one of 11 women who have accused the Governor of inappropriate sexual behavior at work. 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". 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. Commisso told investigators she was too scared of losing her job to speak out against Cuomo at the time. Cuomo's office says he groped and sexually harassed her allegations he. Brittany Commisso is the former executive assistant accusing New York Governor Andrew Cuomo of sexual misconduct. I would say, Governor, this is the truth. McGraths response: Um where is my pic!! Presently Britney is 32 years old. It was untucked.Q. Commisso was hired by the Executive Chamber as a $62,000-a year administrative assistant in 2019. They have a young daughter together. Story tips can be sent to Jessica.Chasmar@fox.com. "And there has been no open-minded fact-finding in this case. 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. The divorce proceedings are ongoing, with a trial set for March 16, 2022, in Albany court. 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. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. All information on the Website is provided as is, with no guarantee of completeness, accuracy, timeliness or of the results obtained from the use of this information, and without warranty of any kind, express or implied. "These were not hugs that he would give his mother or his brother," Commisso said. On Monday, she said that was the only day Ms. Commisso was at the Executive Mansion in November. To attack this investigation and attempt to undermine and politicize this process takes away from the bravery displayed by these women., The statement added, There will be a rolling production of interview transcripts made available to the state Assembly, which will be redacted as needed. Her husband, Frank Commisso Jr., even suggested he had spoken to the Cuomo camp in a tape-recorded conversation Commisso made that discussed the bogus affair, according to a transcript of her interview released Wednesday. Commisso was. This image provided by CBS This Morning/Times Union shows Brittany Commisso, left, answering questions during an interview with CBS correspondent Jericka Duncan on CBS This Morning, Sunday, Aug. 8 . I felt as though if I did something to insult him, especially insult him in his own home, it wasnt going to be him that was going to get fired or in trouble. The selfie with Commisso was published with the report, which might have escalated the divorce situation and triggered the sudden criminal complaint. '", "It happened so quick, he didn't say anything. Commisso Jr., also a Democrat, unsuccessfully ran for mayor of Albany in 2017. It was a black coat, a black long winter coat.Q. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. According to her testimony, the door was open, so she said Youre going to get us in trouble. Did it have a zipper or wrap or buttons, how was it fastened?A. Commisso Testimony Pages 146 149:Q. This disclaimer was created with the disclaimer generator. I remember seeing I was wearing a black bra and I could see my black bra cup. 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. Commisso whose groping allegationled to a misdemeanor criminal complaint being filedagainstthe former governor last month implied that her estranged husband may have been manipulated by Cuomo insiders into erroneously believing she and Cuomo had a consensual affair. Executive assistant of Gov. Breaking it down with Brittany pic.twitter.com/bewHScmXLy, Frank Commisso (@FrankCommisso15) September 13, 2017. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Brittany Commisso spoke out for the first time in a pre-taped interview that was previewed on Sunday and aired in part on Monday morning. Chapter Breakdown is below. Brittany Commisso, the executive assistant who claims that New York Gov. was groped, I was just so confused and so taken aback by it. August 9, 2021 / 6:30 AM Commisso alleges that Cuomo groped her a second time at the governor's mansion in November 2020. When I stopped it, he just pulled away and walked away. Brittany Commisso is one of 11 girls named in a classified report by New York State Attorney General Letitia James, who claims Cuomo sexually harassed a number of women and violated state and federal laws. Those troopers that are there, they are not there to protect me. Commissos estranged husband ran unsuccessfully for Albany mayor in 2017 as a Democrat. Commisso, as far as I know, has had no communication with anyone in the executive chamber or any allies of governor Cuomo..
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