In a recent development, a federal judge in Brooklyn, Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall, has dismissed a retaliation claim against former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo in a high-profile sexual harassment lawsuit. The claim was made by a state trooper, known as “Trooper 1,” who alleges that Cuomo groped her. However, the key sexual harassment claim against Cuomo remains intact.
Trooper 1’s attorney, Valdi Licul, expressed concern over the dismissal of the retaliation claim, stating that it sets a dangerous precedent. Licul emphasized that separate federal retaliation claims against Cuomo are still pending. Licul also highlighted that the sexual harassment claims against Cuomo and the New York State Police will proceed.
Cuomo resigned as governor in 2021 following an investigation by Attorney General Letitia James, which found that he had sexually harassed multiple women, including Trooper 1. Cuomo has consistently denied these allegations and is required to respond to the latest version of Trooper 1’s complaint by July 19.
Trooper 1 alleges that Cuomo engaged in various inappropriate behaviors, including touching her stomach and back, as well as kissing her on the cheek while she was on duty in 2019. She also claims that Cuomo, along with his former chief of staff Melissa DeRosa and spokesman Rich Azzopardi, retaliated against her for coming forward.
Judge Hall dismissed the retaliation claims against Cuomo based on city and state human rights laws, as the alleged reprisal occurred after the governor’s resignation. Previous retaliation claims against DeRosa and Azzopardi were also dismissed by Judge Hall in September.
DeRosa and Azzopardi issued a joint statement in response to the judge’s decision, asserting that Trooper 1’s complaint was an abuse of the court system and an attempt to exploit the Attorney General’s report for personal financial gain. They expressed satisfaction with the court’s opinion, considering it a validation of their belief that Trooper 1’s claims were frivolous. They are now considering their legal options.
1 Response
“Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are.” – Benjamin Franklin
This quote resonates with the post because it highlights the importance of empathy and solidarity in seeking justice. In the context of the sexual harassment lawsuit against Andrew Cuomo, it is crucial for everyone, regardless of their personal connection to the case, to be outraged by any form of retaliation or injustice. This quote reminds us that justice cannot be achieved if only the directly affected individuals are fighting for it