(TJVNEWS) Sherry Vill, a 55-year old married mother of three, appeared with her lawyer, Gloria Allred, at a Monday afternoon Zoom press conference, claiming Governor Cuomo forcibly kissed her several years ago and had photo evidence.
Vill claims Cuomo forcibly kissed her cheeks in an “overtly sexual” nature while touring flood damage in her neighborhood outside Rochester in May 2017.
NBC reported:
In her recounting of the day’s events, Vill says her family was asked to show their home to the governor and his staff while they toured local flood damage. When she met the governor inside her home, Vill says he forcibly kissed her on each cheek and said “you are beautiful.”
“While still holding one of my hands, he forcibly grabbed my face with his other big hand and kissed my cheek,” she said.
Cuomo’s office has not issued a statement addressing the latest round of allegations.
New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) recently launched an independent investigation into the Cuomo harassment scandal, while the New York State Assembly opened an impeachment probe into the matter. Earlier March, top New York Democrats, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler, have urged Cuomo to resign.
“Confronting and overcoming the Covid crisis requires sure and steady leadership. We commend the brave actions of the individuals who have come forward with serious allegations of abuse and misconduct,” Schumer and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand said in a joint statement on March 14. “Due to the multiple, credible sexual harassment and misconduct allegations, it is clear that Governor Cuomo has lost the confidence of his governing partners and the people of New York. Governor Cuomo should resign.”
Cuomo has repeatedly rejected calls to step down and has instead urged for James’ inquiry to run its course.
“I never harassed anyone, I never assaulted anyone, I never abused anyone,” Cuomo has said. “I’m not going to resign. I was not elected by the politicians, I was elected by the people.”
In addition to James’ investigation, Cuomo also faces an FBI probe into whether his administration provided false data regarding the number of nursing home deaths during the coronavirus pandemic, reported the New York Times.
The governor has denied any wrongdoing in the nursing home scandal, as well.
