easyt65
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- Aug 4, 2015
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Cuomo now accused of 'highly improper' involvement in NY AG's sex harass probe
Gov's Office's Parallel Investigation, Talking To Office Witnesses, Could Lead To 'Intimidation of Witnesses'
An attorney for one of the women accusing New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo of sexual harassment is claiming that the governor is interfering with a state attorney general investigation.
'Debra Katz, who represents Cuomo accuser Charlotte Bennett, complained in a letter to New York Attorney General Letitia James. It follows an Albany Times Union report that the administration was offering attorneys to meet with staffers before James' office interviewed them, and even to accompany them to the interviews. Katz said she understood that the attorneys were also "debriefing" employees after the interviews.
"This is highly improper and we object in the strongest possible terms to this obvious interference with what you have stated would be a 'thorough and independent' investigation," Katz wrote.
The administration attorneys' reported involvement is part of a "parallel investigation" Cuomo's office is conducting, accoring to the Times Union. A source with the New York Attorney General's Office told the newspaper their office did not direct Cuomo's office to conduct their own probe.
Katz argued that having attorneys from Cuomo's office speak with employees could have a "chilling effect on potential witnesses or other accusers who wish to come forward but fear job-related retaliation" if they speak out. She claimed that she has already spoken to witnesses who told her that they were afraid of facing retaliation "if they refuse to cooperate with the Executive Chamber's lawyers" and felt "constrained" from speaking about Cuomo's conduct and their work environment in front of administration attorneys.'
Cuomo accuser’s lawyer calls on AG to end Cuomo’s ‘obvious interference’ with harassment probe
An attorney for one of the women accusing New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo of sexual harassment is claiming that the governor is interfering with a state attorney general investigation.
www.foxnews.com