Third Woman Accuses New York Governor Andrew Cuomo of Sexual Harassment

A third woman has come forward to say that New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed her.

Anna Ruch told The New York Times, that in 2019 Cuomo asked to kiss her at a wedding. He also put his hand on her bare lower back, Fox News reports.

The 33-year-old said she was “so confused and shocked and embarrassed” and pulled away.

“I turned my head away and didn’t have words in that moment,” she said.

Cuomo’s spokesperson told The New York Times that the governor has apologized for actions that “have been misinterpreted as an unwanted flirtation.”

The spokesperson was referring to a statement Cuomo released earlier this week.

Cuomo said he was “being playful” with female colleagues and he is “truly sorry” for his actions.

"At work sometimes I think I am being playful and make jokes that I think are funny. I do, on occasion, tease people in what I think is a good-natured way," the governor said. "I do it in public and in private. You have seen me do it at briefings hundreds of times. I have teased people about their personal lives, their relationships, about getting married or not getting married. I mean no offense and only attempt to add some levity and banter to what is a very serious business."

Ruch is the third woman to accuse Cuomo of unwanted advances. In February, former aide Lindsey Boylan published a story alleging that Boylan forcibly kissed her once and sexually harassed her while she worked for him.

Then last week, a second former aide came forward to accuse Cuomo of sexual harassment. Charlotte Bennett, a former executive assistant and health policy adviser for Cuomo, claimed Cuomo asked her questions about her sex life and told her that he was open to relationships with women in their 20s. Bennett is 25.

New York Rep. Kathleen Rice is now asking Cuomo to resign from his position.

"The time has come," tweeted Rice. “The Governor must resign."

Photo courtesy: ©Getty Images/Spencer Platt/Staff

Amanda Casanova is a writer living in Dallas, Texas. She has covered news for ChristianHeadlines.com since 2014. She has also contributed to The Houston Chronicle, U.S. News and World Report and IBelieve.com. She blogs at The Migraine Runner.