Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and his aides are intensifying an effort to revive his public standing, including discussing how to make his first public appearance since resigning in August, according to people close to him.
Cuomo and his remaining aides have been calling former allies and political operatives to complain about New York Attorney General Letitia James, who oversaw an investigation that concluded Cuomo sexually harassed 11 women, including current and former state employees. The former Democratic governor has denied touching anybody inappropriately and said the investigation was politically motivated.
The former governor’s lawyer, Rita Glavin, has held press briefings to release information about his accusers that she says undermines their credibility. Cuomo has been attempting to determine the right forum for a speech or appearance that would mark his return to public life, according to the people close to him.
“If you were in his position, you wouldn’t let it go either. The truth is important to him,” Glavin said. She has asked James’s office to amend the report to include information she said is favorable to the governor’s defense. Glavin said Cuomo was considering his available legal options.
James, also a Democrat, has said the report was corroborated by district attorneys who called the accusers credible and is based on 74,000 pieces of evidence. “Mr. Cuomo’s relentless attacks on these brave women will not mask the truth—he is a serial sexual harasser,” said Delaney Kempner, a spokeswoman for James.
An expanded version of this report appears on WSJ.com.
Also popular on WSJ.com:
Why are millionaires from all over the country moving to this little-known Arizona suburb?
Teen girls’ sexy TikTok videos take a mental-health toll.