He has until the end of this week to submit evidence in his defense in connection with a State Assembly impeachment probe. 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. Premo asked whether Cuomo would also take a polygraph exam. The New York State Assembly will decide whether to impeach Cuomo. He slammed the door shut and said I dont care (she was thinking about the staff downstairs hearing it). I was on the right. Commisso has worked for Cuomo since 2017. He denies ever kissing her on the lips as she claims. Commisso is one of 11 women accusing Andrew Cuomo of sexual harassment in a recent investigation. 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. Pauses, fillers, irrelevant comments were removed. Commisso Testimony Pages 141 143:I remember going up to his office. Brittany Commisso C in 2019 was employed in Executive Chamber and had annual salary of $65,220 according to public records. I want to make sure that I got this straight. She first claimed this happened on November 16, 2020. They have a young daughter named Gianna. 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. She has provided several variations of her breast groping story that differ significantly in what happened when it happened, and why she was in the Mansion (see details further below). Was it a blouse that had buttons up the front or just no buttons and he came up from underneath?A. delta you must specify a test script. In 2019, Commisso said Cuomo put his hand on her butt while guiding her through the executive mansion. Commissos estranged husband ran unsuccessfully for Albany mayor in 2017 as a Democrat. She was identified only as "Executive Assistant. The investigators ignored McGraths lie when she explains her text message which contradicts the narrative. Jessica Chasmar is a digital writer on the politics team for Fox News and Fox Business. She then made it a priority to delete blurry photos and photoshop or filter the remaining one while sitting next to her assailant. 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. He replied I dont care, slammed the door shut, slid his hand under her blouse, and grabbed her breast over her bra. 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. I remember looking at them, and when he said, 'can I see them?' Advertisement Her interview with the news show and newspaper comes almost a week after Attorney General Letitia James released the report into sexual misconduct and sexual harassment accusations against Cuomo, a Democrat who has been New Yorks governor since 2011. After graduating from SUNY Albany with a degree in political science and government, Commisso landed a gig in the Albany County Department of Law in 2013, according to her since-deleted LinkedIn page. Andrew Cuomo to resign and the impact of the governor's conduct on the Democratic Party. Brittany Commisso (born in 1989; Age: 32 years old) is an American Executive Assistant #1 from New York. Neither she nor her hubby appear to currently use social media. I really don't know how to explain the moment. I never want her to be afraid of any person in power, a man or a woman.". Facts Still Matter. Commisso Jr. did not respond to a request for comment. The next day, March 7, Commisso met with EA#2 and EA#3 and retained a personal injury lawyer, which indicates she was looking for a monetary award in a civil lawsuit. "These were not hugs that he would give his mother or his brother," Commisso said. According to an April 2021 interview with the Albany Times-Union, Commisso worked for a top official at a state agency during the start of her time with the governors office, and then returned to work closer to Cuomo in June 2019 as executive assistant to one of his top advisors. Andrew M. Cuomo has accused of lying about an incident in which she said he groped her breast at the Executive Mansion, revealed. The photo she provided was dated November 16th. "I exactly remember looking down, seeing his hand, which is a large hand, thinking to myself, 'Oh, my God. https://t.co/W9SGPNSf1S pic.twitter.com/kRulD0ViUD, CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) August 8, 2021. An updated version of this Disclaimer will be effective immediately upon the posting of the revised Disclaimer unless otherwise specified. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! "And there has been no open-minded fact-finding in this case. 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. "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. Commisso alleges that on New Years Eve 2019, the governor groped her behind after she helped him with his State of the State speech. You said you were wearing a blouse, what did your blouse look like?A. The Truth Will Be Out. After completing high school she got admission into the University of Albany of the United States. She started to work for Cuomo in the Executive Chamber as an Administrative Assistant in 2019. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, has identified herself as Brittany Commisso, Cuomo mocks Biden over China spy balloon debacle, Sky-high costs: Hochul sticks NY taxpayers with $271K flight tab in first year as gov, Mario bridge name bill: Letters to the Editor Feb. 24, 2023, How to bring back The Tappan Zee Bridge with some class. Brittany Commisso is Executive Assistant #1 in the AGs report and Ms. On that same day, Commisso was at a birthday party for her friend McGrath. 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. A cemetery posted a personal ad for a goose whose mate died. I would say, Governor, this is the truth. ET First Published: Aug . []. Your continued use of the Website and Services after the effective date of the revised Disclaimer (or such other act specified at that time) will constitute your consent to those changes. 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. Commisso claims Cuomo also hugged her on other occasions when she was leaving and attempted to kiss her. He also stated that the photo had been taken at her request and that he had asked her not to share it. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. 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. When you went in, were you zipped and belted up?A. Anyone can read what you share. This Disclaimer is a legally binding agreement between you (User, you or your) and this Website operator (Operator, we, us or our). Radio Host Tony Katz and Former Biden Campaign Surrogate Kevin Walling discuss calls for NY Gov. At this moment, I dont know what to say I dont know what to do. In an exclusive interview with @CBSThisMorning & @timesunion, Brittany Commisso, an Executive Assistant at NY Gov. It was definitely a blouse that it wasnt low cut, but I could definitely see his hand underneath it.[]Q. Her task was to help with a technical issue with his mobile phone. Yes, there was no buttons. This is inconsistent with the narrative that she was nervously shaking and sent the photo to McGrath in real-time. 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. All rights reserved. A special thank you to my wife Brittany who dedicates herself to our young daughter Gianna pic.twitter.com/TpwgGqz5Yo, Frank Commisso (@FrankCommisso15) May 14, 2017. However, before joining the office of Governor Cuomo, she used to work with the Albany County Department of Law. Commisso stated she thought he wanted to make McGrath jealous to see her reaction. "After multiple women made accusations that Governor Cuomo sexually harassed them, the governor, himself, requested that Attorney General James oversee an independent investigation," Levy said in a statement. I mean it was he was like cupping my breast. ", "And, but then I also after a couple of months and processing this whole thing, I do want her to know that she has a voice," Commisso said. In essence she has accused Governor Cuomo of sexual assault. She began working in the governors office as an executive assistant in December 2017. The investigation was led by employment law attorney Anne Clark and former federal prosecutor Joon Kim. She graduated from SUNY Albany with a degree in political science and government. In that report, "Executive Assistant #1 . And the interactions she described and the timing of it dont match up at all.. But . She spoke in late 2020 and early 2021 to her supervisors about having to leave early,. Brittany Commisso one of the previously unnamed 11 women who New York Gov. 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. X in the Position Statement, but she has since revealed her identity. She first made her complaint to the attorney generals office in March 2021. 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. 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 born in the United States of America in 1989 to their parents. Around November 2019, when she started to assist Mr. Cuomo at the Executive Mansion, the governor would comment on her appearance, the attorney generals report said. They are in fact so close that McGrath was listed as Commissos emergency contact at work. Her selfie story is incongruent with facts and is nonsensical. 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. Commisso says she is the woman who is referred to as "Executive Assistant #1" in last week's report commissioned by New York Attorney General Letitia James. "The independent investigators selected are widely respected professionals, recognized for their legal and investigatory ability. Brittany Commisso acknowledged in an interview with "CBS This Morning" and The Albany Times Union that she was the person identified as "Executive Assistant #1" in a report by the New York . Letter Page#1 and Page#2. Mr. Cuomos top aide, Melissa DeRosa, was among those who spearheaded the effort, the report said. 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.". "To me this was a dream job. Brittany Commissos allegations of being groped are not credible. This is the only place he could place his hands, otherwise he would grope their butts or breasts. He has asked if I wanted him to sign a nondisclosure agreement and that was going to, quote unquote, cost me in our marital situation. 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. "He broke the law.". 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. But she claimed that Frank, a former Albany Common Council member who works for the New York State and Local Retirement System, then tried to use the affair claim as a way to get out of paying child support for their daughter allegedly threatening to amend his no-fault divorce filing to one saying she had been unfaithful. The Special Counsel took notes of that call, contemporaneous evidence that the Report did not include, but which was provided by Rita Glavin in her Submission on October 20, 2021. He has spent 40 years in public life and for him to all of the sudden be accused of a sexual assault of an executive assistant that he really doesnt know, doesnt pass muster., CBS THIS MORNING EXCLUSIVE: Aide who accused Cuomo of groping speaks publicly for first time, alleging "when he went to go kiss me on the cheek, he quickly turns his head & he kissed me on the lips." Brittany Commisso is one of 11 women referenced in a scathing report from New York State Attorney General Letitia James that alleged Cuomo sexually harassed multiple women and violated state. Commisso claims Cuomo groped her in December 2019 and November 2020. 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. Commisso was. He broke the law., Commisso added, I didnt say anything this whole time. His father is Frank Commisso Sr., a Democratic member of the Albany County Legislature since 1983. 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. Me and my team went through the emails for that day. After finishing her assignment pulled her in for a close hug. Brittany Commisso is the former executive assistant accusing New York Governor Andrew Cuomo of sexual misconduct. They ignored that the selfie was photoshopped. The governor, she said, 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?. I remember going downstairs and escorting myself out and going to my car and sitting there for a second and going, OK, I have to now go back into the Capitol, go back to my desk and do my job and pretend that, like, that didnt just happen. There are 11 women whose accounts have been corroborated by a mountain of evidence. 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. Brittany Commisso breaks her silence and reveals her identity on CBS This Morning, August 9 . 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 . I said 'He is lying. First published on August 9, 2021 / 6:30 AM. 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. His actions toward her, she said, made her uncomfortable. And it's your turn to do the right thing. I remember I walked out and he walked back into his office. These are the facts. 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. 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. Will Pavia, New York. Market data provided by Factset. Her husband filed for divorce, and a summons with notice is recorded at Albany County Clerk on February 22, 2021, with Brittany Commisso as the defendant. ", Commisso said that after watching his denial she "broke down" and told two coworkers "a little bit.". McGraths response: Um where is my pic!! Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. His attorney, Glavin, said at a press conference on August 6, He is 63 years old. While working on his State of the State speech, she said Cuomo asked her to take a selfie.. "Therewill be a rolling production of interview transcripts made available to the state Assembly, which will be redacted as needed," he said. On March 9, the lawyer contacted the Executive Chamber and said that he planned to file an administrative complaint on her behalf and that Commisso would not pursue the matter criminally. "He was to my left. I broke down. On Monday, she said that was the only day Ms. Commisso was at the Executive Mansion in November. Indemnification and warranties: The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. A Mommy Blog. assistant mingle mamas, inquiring multiple times about whether she had cheated or would cheat on her husband and asking her to help find him a girlfriend., The report states, These offensive interactions, among others, culminated in an incident at the executive mansion in November 2020 when the governor, during another close hug with Executive Assistant #1, reached under her blouse and grabbed her breast. And what is disturbing to me is that the two investigators did not show that evidence to you. One of New York Gov. Testimony according to AG Report:It was around the day she was was tasked with taking a photo of a document. I then felt while taking the selfie, his hand go down my back onto my butt, and he started rubbing it. I remember that is when I put it back on but I didnt zipper it back up. Brittany Commisso, the executive assistant who accused Gov. Jericka Duncan: ( 00:58) Nonetheless, Acting Counsel referred the matter to the Albany Police Department on March 10. Commisso told investigators she was too scared of losing her job to speak out against Cuomo at the time. She is one of the accusers of Andrew Cuomo who works as the governor of New York since 2011. They were corroborated by the state attorney generals report, which included multiple allegations of sexual harassment against Mr. Cuomo. Frank Commisso for Mayor/Twitter 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 is the woman identified as executive assistant #1 in the New York Attorney Generals investigation into Governor Andrew Cuomo. If Cuomo wanted the photo or wanted to exercise power, he would have used his phone. El proceso legal en contra del todava Gobernador de Nueva York, Andrew Cuomo, contina. "And, yes, you did. The attorney generals office report stated accusations made by Commisso and 10 other women were credible and corroborated. Clip is edited. Its clear based on these transcripts that these two people were attempting to use the governor as a pawn for leverage in their messy divorce, said Cuomo spokesman Rich Azzopardi. Brittany Commisso speaks during an interview that aired on CBS This Morning on August 9. he had never touched anyone inappropriately. She then confided in certain of her colleagues, who in turn reported her allegations to senior staff in the executive chamber., Cuomos attorney, Rita Glavin, responded to the accusations made in the report by Commisso during a press conference on August 6, saying, What she has alleged is perhaps the most significant allegation made against the governor. "She was kind of like starry-eyed high school kid with her like she was a little bit star-struck. However, after a couple of months and processing this whole thing, I do want her to know that she has a voice, Commisso saidin Mondays sit-down. At the annual holiday party in 2019, Cuomo took a picture with Commisso and her friend McGrath. Commisso claims that after she finished her assignment in Cuomos office, he hugged her.