I then felt while taking the selfie, his hand go down my back onto my butt, and he started rubbing it. In her testimony on May 17, 2021, she claimed she deleted them because she didnt want Cuomo to see how shaky and nervous she was. Brittany Commisso, who was identified only as "Executive Assistant #1" in the AG's report, came forward in an interview with CBS This Morning and the Albany Times Union, days after she filed a criminal complaint against Cuomo with the Albany County Sheriff's Office. He reached under her blouse grasping one of her breasts over her bra. Cuomo accuser Brittany Commisso alleges the N.Y. governor groped her in the executive mansion: 'He thinks he's untouchable' Last Updated: Aug. 10, 2021 at 3:43 p.m. Brittany Commisso has been married to Frank Commisso Jr. since 2016. A similar picture was taken in 2018. "I then felt while taking the selfie, his hand go down my back onto my butt, and he started rubbing it. Brittany Commisso, one of the women accusing ex-Gov. Ms. Commisso said that she was at the Executive Mansion on Dec. 31, 2019 to help the governor with his upcoming State of the State address. Market data provided by Factset. Her estranged husband and his family are involved in Democratic politics in the Albany area. "It was then that I said, you know, governor, you know, you're my words were 'you're going to get us in trouble.' The coupleis in the midst of contested divorce proceedings andhas a scheduled courtroom date in Albany Supreme Court on Friday, the New York Post reported. 100%.". Commisso stated she thought he wanted to make McGrath jealous to see her reaction. They ignored Commissos financial motive. The report fails to mention that Commisso wore a long winter coat while allegedly being groped. Rita Glavin, Cuomos lawyer, in a letter last month demanding that Albany Sheriff Craig Apple, preserve all records in the criminal probe, asked that any communications involving Commisso and his son be retained. ", "I know the truth. In her CBS interview on August 9, 2021, she said that she did show him the blurry pictures and he said those arent good and to take new ones. Commisso previously gave an anonymous interview to the Times-Union in April 2021. Let me be clear, he said Tuesday. Commisso was. Family, Parents, Siblings, Education. Furthermore, Commisso did not agree to an interview with the Albany Police Department. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. All rights reserved. I remember having my coat on, it was November, it was cold. Commisso stated that the incident happened around the day she was tasked to take a photo of the document. Those troopers that are there, they are not there to protect me. The documentary evidence does not support what she said. Early Life Brittany Commisso was born on August 13, 1988 in Albany, New York, USA. Thats when his alleged creepy behavior began, with hugs she says the governor gave her with the intention of getting some personal sexual satisfaction out of it., He thought this was normal to me, and the other women that he did this to, Commisso said in the interview aired Monday. Ms. Commisso said in the interview that she was afraid a staffer might walk in and get the wrong idea and told Mr. Cuomo, youre going to get us in trouble.. Although Commisso claims she felt shocked by the articles, she later gave TU an interview with more details (still anonymously), published on April 7, 2021. As evidence, she submitted the photo below which was taken AFTER the alleged incident. Commisso has been married since 2016 to Frank Commisso Jr., 37, a former Albany Common Council member who works for the New York State and Local Retirement System. https://t.co/W9SGPNSf1S pic.twitter.com/kRulD0ViUD, CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) August 8, 2021. She spoke in late 2020 and early 2021 to her supervisors about having to leave early,. I apologize, I dont remember the actual specifics of the material.Q. And he said twice I told them and they know. Commisso alleges that in late 2020, Cuomo hugged her, reached under her blouse, and grabbed her breast in the Executive Mansion. 1 of 8 Brittany Commisso, who accused Gov. I don't believe his family was there that day. The divorce proceedings are ongoing, with a trial set for March 16, 2022, in Albany court. Brittany Commisso is one of 11 girls named in a classified report by New York State Attorney General Letitia James, who claims Cuomo sexually harassed a number of women and violated state and federal laws. Pauses, fillers, irrelevant comments were removed. I don't have the words. I broke down. I believe it was my black coat that has a zipper on it and I think it has a belt with it too.Q. She said. Thanks for contacting us. To me and the other women that he did this to, oh, it was not normal, Ms. Commisso said. Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple confirmed Saturday that he is investigating a criminal complaint that Cuomo staffer Brittany Commisso filed against the governor. This is happening. She then made it a priority to delete blurry photos and photoshop or filter the remaining one while sitting next to her assailant. After finishing her draft of the speech, she said, Mr. Cuomo suggested the two of them take a selfie. I remember (thinking), You have to pull yourself together even if you have to sit here for a couple minutes to do that. If I told someone, Im done. But everything changed a few months later when she saw Cuomo deny accusations of sexual harassment during a press conference in March 2021 and heard him say that he "never touched anyone inappropriately. This indicates she was looking for a financial settlement and/or judgment. I remember I walked out and he walked back into his office. Commisso has a clear financial motive. In a damning report released last week by New York State Attorney General Letitia James, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is accused of sexually harassing 11 women. Gerald Leary, divorce attorney for Frank Commisso Jr., said, Mr. Me and my team went through the emails for that day. Was it buttoned up? Brittany Commisso, who was identified as "Executive Assistant #1" in the state attorney general's scathing report, granted an exclusive interview with "CBS This Morning" and the Times Union. He slammed the door shut and said I dont care (she was thinking about the staff downstairs hearing it). Because he refused to pay me child support, Brittany testified. The accusation that he had his hands around their ribcages below their breasts is absurd. Brittany Commisso's CBS News interview was aired after the resignation of Cuomo's top aide Melissa DeRosa. 289 Followers, 220 Following, 24 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Frank Commisso Jr. (@commissoforalbany) The governors special counsel Beth Garvey had also been asking around about her relationship status, Brittany told investigators. 32 year old Brittany Commisso started working as an executive assistant in New York Governor Andrew Cuomo's office in 2017. Andrew M. Cuomo has accused of lying about an incident in which she said he groped her breast at the Executive Mansion, revealed. It was not normal, it was not welcome, and it was certainly not consensual.. Im, like, swearing in my mind. Brian Premo, the attorney representing Brittany Commisso, did not respond to a request for comment. That was my first day, and that was my first time that I said to myself, I know that wasnt normal. You hear stories about what happens at the Capitol. Changes and amendments: We reserve the right to modify this Disclaimer or its terms related to the Website and Services at any time at our discretion. Brittany Commisso began working as an executive assistant in the governor's office in 2017. Full video testimony available at OAG website. ", Commisso described Cuomo's behavior that night as "almost as if he was in a sexually aggressive state of mind. She has also accused Cuomo of reaching under her blouse to grope her breast during an incident at the Executive Mansion in Albany last year. One of the women who accused New YorkGov. Brittany Commisso, who was previously only identified as "Executive Assistant #1," has accused Cuomo of multiple instances of sexual harassment and told CBS's "This Morning" and the Albany Times . "And there has been no open-minded fact-finding in this case. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. On that same day, Commisso was at a birthday party for her friend McGrath. Frank J. Commisso Democrat for Mayor Facebook Page, 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. 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It also appears that Commisso either photo-shopped the picture or used a filter. On Sunday night, Ms. DeRosa resigned from her position. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Nearly four years later, she's the woman known as executive assistant #1 in the New York Attorney General's report into allegations of sexual harassment by the governor. ", Commisso called the governor's response "disgusting. In an exclusive "CBS This Morning" and the Times Union interview, Brittany Commisso says Governor Andrew Cuomo groped and sexually harassed her. A. I believe when I stood up to leave.Q. https://t.co/NEmtgY7c1Q pic.twitter.com/aQzc2L8AUe. Neither of them said anything and she walked out. I told them.. An assistant to New York Gov. I never want her to be afraid of any person in power, a man or a woman.". Cuomo denies the claim. Through this website you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of Justice for Cuomo. Brittany Commisso began working as an executive assistant in the governor's office in 2017. We've received your submission. There are no witnesses, no evidence, and she never mentioned it to anyone, including her best friend until March 3, 2021. Ms. Commissos allegations that Mr. Cuomo groped her and grabbed her breast in the Executive Mansion last year are among the most serious made against him. Would love your thoughts, please comment. Im officially jealous!!! Brittany Commisso's claims were first detailed in a report which found Mr Cuomo sexually harassed 11 women. Did it have a zipper or wrap or buttons, how was it fastened?A. ET First Published: Aug . He broke the laws that he himself created. He also stated that the photo had been taken at her request and that he had asked her not to share it. I remember that is when I put it back on but I didnt zipper it back up. I never want her to be afraid of any person in power, a man or a woman.. She said youre crazy and pulled away. Anyone can read what you share. Only after Cuomos attorney pointed out the evidence refuting the Reports findings regarding Ms. Commisso did she file a criminal complaint with the Albany County Sheriff on August 9, 2021. August 9, 2021 / 6:30 AM She has pointed in particular to emails and phone logs to argue that Mr. Cuomo was busy working and surrounded by top aides on that day. Legal Statement. Brittany Commisso (born in 1989; Age: 32 years old) is an American Executive Assistant #1 from New York. Brittany Commisso, going on camera for the first time, said Cuomo is lying. She said that Mr. Cuomo then slammed the door shut, and slipped his hand under her shirt and grabbed her breast. Brittany was born and brought up in Albany, United States of America. I think I asked him are you all set. They ignored it. A footnote in the report notes that Commisso did not remember the exact date of the incident, but said it was around November 16, 2020. For the first time Monday, Commisso publicly came forward with her claims that Cuomo twice groped her in the Executive Mansion calling his conduct a crime in a new interview with CBS This Morning and the Albany Times Union. He posed for [the] photograph with his hands firmly around both womens ribcages, just below their breasts (in other words, their waists, the normal place for a hand in pictures such as these). Commisso Jr. did not respond to a request for comment. And he said, 'Oh, those aren't those aren't good.'". I remember seeing I was wearing a black bra and I could see my black bra cup. All information on the Website is provided as is, with no guarantee of completeness, accuracy, timeliness or of the results obtained from the use of this information, and without warranty of any kind, express or implied. The independent investigators selected are widely respected professionals, recognized for their legal and investigatory ability. We may also provide notice to you in other ways at our discretion, such as through the contact information you have provided. Advertisement. She started to work for Cuomo in the Executive Chamber as an Administrative Assistant in 2019. After graduating from SUNY Albany with a degree in political science and government, Commisso landed a gig in the Albany County Department of Law in 2013, according to her since-deleted LinkedIn page. You said when you went in, you had your coat on. According to the report, one of Mr. Cuomos aides told Ms. Commisso to attend to the governor at his Executive Mansion office, where she said he pulled her into a close hug. Commisso describes her coat as a long winter coat with a zipper and a belt. In her notes, the Counsel wrote: pushed her up against wall hands up shirt touched breast kissed her. Commisso was hired by the Executive Chamber as a $62,000-a-year administrative assistant in fiscal 2019 and previously worked as a . The selfie was taken on Commissos phone, indicating that she was the initiator. Cuomo hugged her, reached under her blouse, and grabbed her breast in the Executive Mansion. According to the New York state record; the married couple is currently going through a contested divorce, apparently. I know what happened and so does he," she said. Andrew Cuomo groped her under her shirt publicly discussed her allegations against the governor for the first time in a . []. The sequence also changed from groping upon arrival (April version) to happening after she sent the text to Benton and called her from Cuomos phone to confirm receipt of the text. Commisso Testimony Pages 141 143:I remember going up to his office. AG report p. 20, fn#123. Cuomo testified that he called them mingle mamas in response to Commisso and McGrath saying that they were single and ready to mingle. he had never touched anyone inappropriately. She then confided in certain of her colleagues, who in turn reported her allegations to senior staff in the executive chamber., Cuomos attorney, Rita Glavin, responded to the accusations made in the report by Commisso during a press conference on August 6, saying, What she has alleged is perhaps the most significant allegation made against the governor. After the AG announced the findings of her result and published the report, Rita Glavin provided a detailed timeline of activities on November 16, 2020, which shows that the incident could not have happened that day. He broke the law., Commisso added, I didnt say anything this whole time. ALBANY Brittany Commisso, the executive assistant whom Gov. But when she asked Frank to confirm that the people he was speaking to were individuals tied to Cuomo, he backtracked. Lyons claims that after Commisso told TU and the investigators the groping had occurred around or after Nov. 16 [] she later told the Times Union that the incident had occurred weeks later.Note: In her Submission to the AG on October 20, 2021, Rita Glavin established that the only day Commisso was in the Mansion was December 7, 2020, which was also the day the Sheriffs office claimed the incident happened between 3.51 pm and 4.07 pm. Ms. Glavin has also suggested that Ms. Commisso was not alone with the governor at the Executive Mansion on the day in question and was sent there for different reasons than she has told investigators and journalists. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. She began working in the governors office as an executive assistant in December 2017. For more details see further below. She also claims that Cuomo said things like she looked good for [her] age and [for] being a mother, Its about time that you showed some leg, If you were single, the things I would do to you. There are no witnesses and Cuomo denies all of these conversations. He knows the truth. Cuomo accuser Brittany Commisso breaks her silence to detail groping allegations and says the governor is lying; Brittany Commisso is one of 11 women referenced in a scathing report from New York . Her interview with the news show and newspaper comes almost a week after Attorney General Letitia James released the report into sexual misconduct and sexual harassment accusations against Cuomo, a Democrat who has been New Yorks governor since 2011. They have a young daughter named Gianna. Letter Page#1 and Page#2. He testified that it was Commisso who wanted to send it to McGrath to make her jealous. She was identified only as "Executive Assistant. They have a young daughter together. 2 men found drugged after leaving NYC gay bars were killed, medical examiner says, Executive Assistant #1: Cuomo Accuser Speaks. 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On March 3, 2021, Commisso started her allegations, after she and her coworkers watched Cuomos press conference when he said he never touched any woman inappropriately. Brittany Commisso breaks her silence and reveals her identity on CBS This Morning, August 9 . Story tips can be sent to Jessica.Chasmar@fox.com. I felt as though if I did something to insult him, especially insult him in his own home, it wasnt going to be him that was going to get fired or in trouble. Report by Executive Assistants #2 and #3, March 8, 2021:The Governor pushed her / threw her aginst the wall, put his hand under his shirt, touched her breast and kissed her. While working on his State of the State speech, she said Cuomo asked her to take a selfie.. Her husband filed for divorce summons with notice are recorded at Albany County Clerk on February 22, 2021, with Brittany Commisso as a defendant, 9 days before she started her allegations. Commisso, as far as I know, has had no communication with anyone in the executive chamber or any allies of governor Cuomo.. Brittany Commisso's claims were first detailed in a report which found Mr Cuomo sexually harassed 11 women. (AG report p. 20-21). They ignored that the selfie was photoshopped. Brittany Commisso spoke out for the first time in a pre-taped interview that was previewed on Sunday and aired in part on Monday morning. Kevin Spacey faces 7 more sexual offense charges in the U.K. CBS and Les Moonves reach settlement with N.Y. attorney general, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo resigns over sexual harassment claims: "The best way I can help now is to step aside". What he did to me was a crime. "I have to tell you it was at the moment I was in such shock that I could just tell you that I just remember looking down seeing his hand, seeing the top of my bra and I remember it was like a little even the cup the kind of bra that I had to the point I could tell you doesnt really fit me properly, it was a little loose, I just remember seeing exactly that. By accessing and using the Website and Services you agree to be bound by this Disclaimer. "There's a difference between being an affectionate and warm person. Ms. Commisso also criticized the governor for saying in his defense that he commonly hugs, kisses and touches people in an effort to put them at ease. Testimony according to AG Report:It was around the day she was was tasked with taking a photo of a document. Information contained on the Website are subject to change at any time and without warning. It was, it was I don't have the words. If there is any victim on this photo, it is not Commisso. On page 190 Commisso also testified that she is not getting child support from her husband. Andrew Cuomo of sexual misconduct, suggested to investigators that allies of the disgraced politician tried to meddle in her divorce proceedings in a brazen attempt to discredit her, according to disturbing new transcripts released this week. Commisso claims Cuomo also hugged her on other occasions when she was leaving and attempted to kiss her. "I exactly remember looking down, seeing his hand, which is a large hand, thinking to myself, 'Oh, my God. "There was a speech that he gave less than a month ago, and in his speech, he said, 'If you give New Yorkers the truth and you give New Yorkers the facts, the good, the bad, the ugly, they will do the right thing.' On March 9, the lawyer contacted the Executive Chamber saying that he planned to file an administrative complaint on her behalf and that Commisso would not pursue the matter criminally. Commisso also brushed aside the governor's suggestion that his accusers were misinterpreting his actions. Ms. Glavin, as she has responded to Ms. Commissos allegations, has focused on the lack of certainty around the date. Brittany Commisso Age. With my right hand, I took the selfie," she said. Commisso told investigators she was too scared of losing her job to speak out against Cuomo at the time. These are the facts. There are 11 women whose accounts have been corroborated by a mountain of evidence. Commisso alleges that Cuomo groped her a second time at the governor's mansion in November 2020. She said the first incident occurred. During the interview, Ms. Commisso described in more detail an incident described in the report in which she said that Mr. Cuomo touched her inappropriately while the two were taking a photo. Commisso, known as. Thanks for contacting us. Commissos estranged husband ran unsuccessfully for Albany mayor in 2017 as a Democrat. In 2019, Commisso said Cuomo put his hand on her butt while guiding her through the executive mansion. I was on the right. (Screenshot from Submission to AG, p 88). He said that he went along with the hugs because he did not want to make anyone feel awkward about anything.. The report fails to note that it was the Executive Chamber that alerted the Albany Police Department and instead misleadingly states that criminal authorities [] have been alerted to the most egregious allegations. Commisso has a financial motive, and the timing of her allegations is connected with her divorce and financial issues. Cuomo resigned on Tuesday. Brittany Commisso is the woman identified as "executive assistant #1" in the New York Attorney General's investigation into Governor Andrew Cuomo. Im trying to get a better picture of it.A. Cuomo of groping her speaks publicly for the first time: "What he did to me was a crime," Brittany Commisso tells @CBSThisMorning & @timesunion. Commisso's accusations of increasingly inappropriate advances included Cuomo sneaking his hand down to her butt and rubbing it, during an embrace for a selfie that he suggested they take . A suggestion that she said she accepted because she thought he would no longer be able to touch her rear end if she were sitting down. If he was doing anything inappropriate, he would not leave a photo of it as evidence on the phone of his victim. Commisso sent the selfie to her friend McGrath when still next to Cuomo. Andrew Cuomo's aide, who accused him of groping and kissing her on the lips, has publicly identified herself as Brittany Commisso. I want to make sure that I got this straight. "The independent investigators selected are widely respected professionals, recognized for their legal and investigatory ability. Now, she is speaking publicly for the first time since filing a criminal complaint against Cuomo last week just days after the attorney general's report was released.