Former Cuomo aide defends gov. as celebs, lawmakers call for investigation into sexual harassment claims

ALBANY — A longtime adviser and ally of Gov. Cuomo defended his old boss Thursday as someone who “demands excellence” and said he has “never seen anything of the like” when asked about allegations of sexual harassment made by a former aide.

Steve Cohen, the current chairman of the Empire State Development Corp., stood by Cuomo a day after Lindsey Boylan dropped bombshell accusations against the governor, alleging he once kissed her on the mouth against her will.

“I can tell you never in my time working with the governor, the former attorney general, private citizen Andrew Cuomo, I have never seen anything of the like of what Ms. Boylan has described,” he said during a call with reporters. “His conduct has always been in my presence with the members of other staff, appropriate, not that it is always fun-loving and a good time, but it is always appropriate and he pushes to get results.”

Cohen has been in the governor’s inner circle for decades and was brought out Thursday to back up the administration’s handling of nursing home COVID-19 deaths.

But the former federal prosecutor faced several questions about Boylan’s claims, outlined in a lengthy online essay, as the likes of actress Rose McGowan, a quintet of Republican state lawmakers and even Mayor de Blasio called for investigations into the governor’s behavior.

Boylan alleges Cuomo subjected her to “pervasive harassment” when she worked for him, including numerous inappropriate comments and touches as well as an unwanted kiss.

Cohen declined to say whether he believes the allegations should be reviewed by Attorney General Letitia James’s office, instead insisting that the accusations don’t match with the Cuomo he’s known for more than 30 years.

“‘Strive for perfection, accept excellence’ is essentially his motto,” he said. “But to get that out of people means you push, you demand, and you are blunt at times and it can be bruising for some people.”

Former Cuomo advisor Lindsey Boylan (left) and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (right)
Former Cuomo advisor Lindsey Boylan (left) and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (right)


Former Cuomo advisor Lindsey Boylan (left) and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (right)

Meanwhile, McGowan, who has been at the forefront of the #MeToo movement, joined calls for an investigation into Cuomo.

The “Charmed” star said during a Fox News interview that she believes Boylan’s claims.

“I completely stand by Lindsey Boylan,” she said. “It’s truth leaks from every word on the screen that she wrote. She, none of us, should endure what she endured.”

Five Republican women in the state Senate asked James to appoint a special prosecutor to conduct an investigation into the allegations.

Sen. Alessandra Biaggi (D-Bronx), who briefly worked in the governor’s office, also backed Boylan’s claims.

“I have no doubt that this is true,” she tweeted on Wednesday. “I’ve witnessed similar behavior, and it’s unacceptable.”

Boylan first came forward with claims of inappropriate behavior against Cuomo in December, but did not provide details or speak to the press about her statements.

Her essay, published online Wednesday, included several emails and screenshots of texts backing up her claims of unwanted sexual advances.

Both Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D-Yonkers) and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (D-Bronx) released statements on Wednesday calling the accusation “disturbing” and “serious.”

White House press secretary Jen Psaki, asked about the harassment allegations, said every person who comes forward deserves to have “their voice heard” while confirming Cuomo would be attending the National Governors Association meeting at the White House on Thursday.

“The president has been consistent in his position. When a person comes forward — they deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. Their voice should be heard, not silenced. And any allegation should be reviewed,” Psaki said.

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