New York Times: Andrew Cuomo questioned for 11 hours by New York attorney general’s office in sexual harassment inquiry

Delaney Kempner, a spokeswoman for the attorney general’s office, told CNN in a statement Monday, “This investigation started at the request of the governor after multiple women accused him of sexual harassment. It is being carried out by independent investigators who have decades of experience.”

“The continued attempts to undermine and politicize this process are dishonest and take away from the bravery displayed by these women,” the statement said.

The interview with Cuomo signals that the investigation could be nearing its final stages, though no timeline has been established. Following multiple sexual harassment allegations against the Democratic governor earlier this year, New York Attorney General Letitia James announced an investigation that would result in a public report.

Members of Cuomo’s inner circle have already been interviewed by investigators, the Times reported, including state troopers who are part of Cuomo’s security detail.

She interpreted the exchange — which she said took place in June 2020, while the state was in the throes of fighting the pandemic — as what the newspaper called “clear overtures to a sexual relationship.”

Escalating backlash against Cuomo prompted him to release a statement at the time that acknowledged some of his comments in the workplace “may have been insensitive or too personal” and said he was “truly sorry” to those who might have “misinterpreted (the remarks) as an unwanted flirtation.”

Cuomo has denied ever touching anyone inappropriately.