Breaking it down with Brittany pic.twitter.com/bewHScmXLy, Frank Commisso (@FrankCommisso15) September 13, 2017. Commisso stated that the incident happened around the day she was tasked to take a photo of the document. Cuomo looks understandably as this was the time of holiday events, speeches, and most importantly preparing for the State of the State speech tired and beaten up. He then returned and slid his hand up her blouse, grabbed her breast over her bra. We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. "So we sat down on the couch and in the photo I have my arm wrapped around his shoulder, almost as if we were taking a picture with a buddy. Calls for Gov. 3 different dates: After the AG report was released on August 3, 2021, Cuomos lawyer presented evidence showing that the alleged incident could have not happened on that date. Contacting us: If you have any questions, concerns, or complaints regarding this Disclaimer, we encourage you to contact us using the details below: http://www.justiceforcuomo.org/contact-us/ or email contact@justiceforcuomo.orgThis document was last updated on October 10, 2021, Copyright 2023 Justice for Cuomo | Powered by Astra WordPress Theme. Brittany Commisso is "Executive Assistant #1 in the AG's report and "Ms. X" in the Position Statement, but she has since revealed her identity. Andrew Cuomo to resign and the impact of the governor's conduct on the Democratic Party. Brittany Commisso began working as an executive assistant in the governor's office in 2017. James appointed Clark and Kim to lead an independent inquiry after Cuomo tasked James office with investigating the allegations against him. In an exclusive interview with "CBS This Morning" and the Times Union, one of those women, previously known only as Executive Assistant #1 is breaking her silence. Was that a blouse that you were wearing on top? 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. Brittany Commisso, one of the women accusing ex-Gov. After finishing her draft of the speech, she said, Mr. Cuomo suggested the two of them take a selfie. https://t.co/NEmtgY7c1Q pic.twitter.com/aQzc2L8AUe. The two are in the midst of contested divorce proceedings and have a daughter, who is around 6 years old. Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more Fox News politics content. Records also show that several people were at the Mansion, including Ms. Benton, Ms. DeRosa, and Peter Ajemian, none of whom were asked about what they heard or saw that day, as one would expect in a real investigation. An assistant to New York Gov. Sexual harassment is completely different," she said. Luego de que la semana pasada la Oficina del Fiscal General del estado concluyera que el Gobernador . He walked toward her a second time and pulled her close. Those troopers that are there, they are not there to protect me. While we have made every attempt to ensure that the information contained on the Website is correct, the Operator is not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for the results obtained from the use of this information. Rita Glavin, an attorney for the governor,said Fridaythat emails allegedly undermining Commissos story were not included in James' investigation. 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. Brittany Commisso began working as an executive assistant in the governor's office in 2017. And I took my coat off. Commisso is a close friend of another accuser, Alyssa McGrath since high school. At what point did you put it back you on? The Truth Will Be Out. I didnt want it. (Screenshot). "That is not true. She claims that, during this encounter, Cuomo hugged her in a "sexually aggressive manner.". The selfie with Commisso was published with the report, which might have escalated the divorce situation and triggered the sudden criminal complaint. Changes and amendments: We reserve the right to modify this Disclaimer or its terms related to the Website and Services at any time at our discretion. Commisso Testimony Pages 146 149:Q. Clip is edited. 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. "These were not hugs that he would give his mother or his brother," Commisso said. This disclaimer was created with the disclaimer generator. "What he did to me was a crime," Ms Commisso, 32, said about alleged instances of . 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. Apples office took Commissos complaint during a brief interview on Thursday. His actions toward her, she said, made her uncomfortable. Let me be clear, he said Tuesday. Powered by. Commisso Jr., also a Democrat, unsuccessfully ran for mayor of Albany in 2017. Josh Solomon, a capitol bureau reporter. They are there to protect him. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. ", Commisso called the governor's response "disgusting. Brittany Commisso, a government employee to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, made her first public comment after accusing Cuomo of sexual harassment. Im trying to get a better picture of it.A. 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. 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. He also stated that the photo had been taken at her request and that he had asked her not to share it. Commissos estranged husband ran unsuccessfully for Albany mayor in 2017 as a Democrat. Asked if Cuomo was lying, Commisso replied, "Yes. The governors special counsel Beth Garvey had also been asking around about her relationship status, Brittany told investigators. 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. She first claimed this happened on November 16, 2020. Home; About Us; BLog; Contact Us Cuomo could face a couple of misdemeanor charges based on Commissos allegations, Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple said Saturday. She said he would also ask about her divorce and whether she had ever had sex with other men during her marriage. Brittany Commisso C reported rate of pay was $62,000 according to public records. She then gave another date to the Times Union which proved impossible. "Maybe to him, he thought this was normal. I was so nervous. 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. But when she asked Frank to confirm that the people he was speaking to were individuals tied to Cuomo, he backtracked. 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 . She also claims that Cuomo said things like she looked good for [her] age and [for] being a mother, Its about time that you showed some leg, If you were single, the things I would do to you. ", "What he did was a crime," she said. "I exactly remember looking down, seeing his hand, which is a large hand, thinking to myself, 'Oh, my God. Cuomo to resign gains momentum among notable Democrats, Gavin Newsom loves bashing Texas; here's what Texas Republicans have to say about that, Presidential candidate Nikki Haley heckled by Trump supporters at CPAC: 'We love Trump! Monday August 09 2021, 4.30pm, The Times. The report described in detail efforts to retaliate against another woman who had spoken out publicly about her allegation against the governor in December. "I'm a former federal prosecutor and I know the difference between putting a case together against a target, versus doing independent fact-finding with an open mind," Glavin said. Brittany Commisso was born in the United States of America in 1989 to their parents. Executive Assistant Who Accused Cuomo of Groping Says It Was Not Normal, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/09/nyregion/Brittany-commisso-cuomo.html, Brittany Commisso, left, answering questions during an interview with correspondent Jericka Duncan on CBS This Morning., CBS This Morning and Albany Times Union, via Associated Press. 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. 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. 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 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. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. He denies ever kissing her on the lips as she claims. I believe it was my black coat that has a zipper on it and I think it has a belt with it too.Q. 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. Now, she is speaking publicly for the first time since filing a criminal complaint against Cuomo last. She is one of the people Andrew Cuomo, who has served as governor of New York since 2011, has accused. Gerald Leary, divorce attorney for Frank Commisso Jr., said, Mr. You acknowledge that this Disclaimer is a contract between you and the Operator, even though it is electronic and is not physically signed by you, and it governs your use of the Website and Services. I said 'He is lying. And I thank them, because without them, I don't know if I would have come forward.". 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. Commisso was employed by Cuomos executive chamber, making $62,000 a year as an administrative assistant from 2019 to 2020. Last week, Commisso submitted her complaint report for August 2021. "And, yes, you did. Indemnification and warranties: The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. August 9, 2021 / 6:30 AM In his defense, Mr. Cuomo told investigators that Ms. Commisso was the initiator of any hugs between them, the report said. The governor has repeatedly denied that ever took place and quite frankly, when she first raised this in early March, he was stunned.. From 2013 to 2017, Commisso worked as a confidential secretary in the Albany County Department of Law, according to her LinkedIn profile. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. "I hope that the other women understand and that I've seen them and I support them. I want to make sure that I got this straight. I don't have the words. ", Commisso said she never planned on going public with her allegations, partly because she was worried about what might happen to her daughter. I remember that is when I put it back on but I didnt zipper it back up. ", CUOMO EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT COMES FORWARD, ALLEGES NY GOVERNOR 'BROKE THE LAW'. Commisso's accusations of increasingly inappropriate advances included Cuomo sneaking his hand down to her butt and rubbing it, during an embrace for a selfie that he suggested they take . ", Fabien Levy, a spokesman of the state attorney general, criticized Glavins comments as "unfortunate.". 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. 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. 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. Commisso claims that after she finished her assignment in Cuomos office, he hugged her. 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. She said youre crazy and he stopped. Early Life Brittany Commisso was born on August 13, 1988 in Albany, New York, USA. 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. I never want her to be afraid of any person in power, a man or a woman.". He replied I dont care, slammed the door shut, slid his hand under her blouse, and grabbed her breast over her bra. Commisso, as far as I know, has had no communication with anyone in the executive chamber or any allies of governor Cuomo.. But . Ms. Commisso, in her interview, described an escalating pattern of sexual behavior during her time working with the governor. He broke the law., Commisso added, I didnt say anything this whole time. 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.. "He broke the law.". People dont understand that this is the governor of the state of New York. ", Commisso said that after watching his denial she "broke down" and told two coworkers "a little bit.". She said Youre going to get us in trouble because the door was open and she was afraid that a woman who works here is going to come in and see. 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. Commisso told investigators she was too scared of losing her job to speak out against Cuomo at the time. Cuomo, 63, has repeatedly denied that he ever touched anyone inappropriately. He has not been criminally charged. See the complete timeline from Cuomos Position Statement, p. 17-19). Commisso was not the first woman to come forward with allegations of sexual misconduct against Cuomo, but she is listed first in the attorney general's report. / CBS News. If you do not have such authority, or if you do not agree with the terms of this agreement, you must not accept this agreement and may not access and use the Website and Services. ", Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple said on Saturday that his office will undertake a criminal investigation based on Commisso's complaint. Watch Monday at 7a, only on CBS. This is happening. 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. Brittany Commisso, listed as "Executive Assistant #1" in the state attorney general's investigation into alleged sexual harassment by Cuomo in the workplace, came forward in an interview. To me and the other women that he did this to, oh, it was not normal, Ms. Commisso said. I showed him them. 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. Education of Brittany Commisso She has completed high school. "There's a difference between being an affectionate and warm person. 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. Brittany, Frank's wife, is one of the 11 women who have accused the Governor of sexual touching at work. They ignored Commissos financial motive. Was it a blouse that had buttons up the front or just no buttons and he came up from underneath?A. She accuses him of groping her. Facts Still Matter. Let me ask you a few questions about that. Commisso worked for Cuomo starting 2019 and her estranged husband and family are Democrats who are involved in public in the Albany area. Market data provided by Factset. She said, Youre crazy. On the recording her husband, who filed for divorce in January, implied that he knows that we had an affair, Commisso said. He didnt say anything. 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 . The independent investigators selected are widely respected professionals, recognized for their legal and investigatory ability. She and the investigators realize that this makes her story even more incredible, and Commisso is led (unsuccessfully) by the investigators in an attempt to fix it and make the narrative work. According to the report, one of Mr. Cuomos aides told Ms. Commisso to attend to the governor at his Executive Mansion office, where she said he pulled her into a close hug. On March 9 and March 10, 2021, Times Union reported that according to an anonymous source an unnamed current female employee (Commisso) accused Cuomo of groping her at the Governors mansion. "He broke the law." You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! The 33-year-old made the comments in a May 17 deposition, telling outside lawyers probing the allegations against Cuomo that one of his aides was prying into her personal life in a possible attempt to get her husband to do the governors dirty work and claim adultery in their divorce. I really don't know how to explain the moment. It was then that Commisso claims the governor groped her a second time. Commisso claims she was afraid a staffer might walk in and get the wrong idea, but that after she said that, Cuomo "shut the door so hard to the point where I thought for sure, someone downstairs must think if they heard that, 'what is going on?'". There are 11 women whose accounts have been corroborated by a mountain of evidence. Acceptance of this disclaimer: You acknowledge that you have read this Disclaimer and agree to all its terms and conditions. I never want her to be afraid to speak. Premo asked whether Cuomo would also take a polygraph exam. They ignored that the selfie was photoshopped. 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. All the entrants and exit records and this womans story which is stated as fact in the report is false. He said that he went along with the hugs because he did not want to make anyone feel awkward about anything.. According to Commisso, after finishing her draft of the speech, Cuomo suggested the two of them take a selfie together. She asked for a raise and more overtime hours on weekends. Heres what you need to know about Brittany Commisso and her accusations against Cuomo: Cuomo is accused in the report of engaging in a pattern of inappropriate conduct with Commisso since about late 2019, according to the attorney generals report. The investigations are still ongoing, and these women are currently the focus of media attention. Until now, the 32-year-old victim was being . The attorney generals office report stated accusations made by Commisso and 10 other women were credible and corroborated. I don't believe his family was there that day. "The independent investigators selected are widely respected professionals, recognized for their legal and investigatory ability. 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. Brittany Commisso, going on camera for the first time, said Cuomo is lying. His Twitter profile from the campaign shows the couple working together on election night. I never want her to be afraid of any person in power, a man or a woman.. Brittany Commisso is the woman identified as "executive assistant #1" in the New York Attorney General's investigation into Governor Andrew Cuomo. It was not normal, it was not welcome, and it was certainly not consensual.. "I was afraid that if I had come forward, and revealed my name, that the governor and his 'enablers' I like to call them would viciously attack me, would smear my name as I had seen and heard them do before to people," she said. Commissos father, Frank Commisso Sr., also a Democrat, has been a member of the Albany County Legislature since 1983. 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.