Cuomo advisers allege timing of sex crime complaint meant to boost AG Letitia James' governor bid

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Andrew Cuomo’s advisers slammed the filing of a misdemeanor forcible touching complaint against the disgraced ex-governor on Friday, decrying the move as a politically motivated effort to boost New York State Attorney General Letitia James’ recently announced gubernatorial bid.

James announced her intention to run for New York’s highest office one day after Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple filed the criminal complaint against Cuomo. Cuomo, who resigned in August, is accused of groping former executive assistant Brittany Commisso.

Cuomo’s attorney, Rita Glavin, maintained her client’s innocence and referred to the allegation detailed in the sheriff’s complaint as “totally uncorroborated.”

ANDREW CUOMO CHARGED WITH MISDEMEANOR SEX CRIME IN NEW YORK

NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 12: New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo speaks during the daily media briefing at the Office of the Governor of the State of New York on June 12, 2020 in New York City.
(Photo by Jeenah Moon/Getty Images)

“The timing of this charge, on the eve of Tish James announcing her run for Governor, is highly suspect and should give all of us pause that the heavy hand of politics is behind this decision,” Glavin said in a statement.

“We expect clear-headed people will make better decisions going forward, but should this case move forward we are prepared to vigorously defend the Governor and challenge every aspect of the specious, inconsistent and uncorroborated allegations made against him,” she added.

James’ office oversaw the independent investigation that concluded Cuomo sexually harassed at least 11 women, including current and former state employees, during his time as governor. Cuomo has denied wrongdoing.

James lauded Apple’s decision, releasing a statement that said the “criminal charges brought today against Mr. Cuomo for forcible touching further validate the findings in our report.”