Vox Sentences - The Cuomo report

The New York attorney general's investigation found that Gov. Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed multiple women; flooding in China has killed more than 300 people.

Tonight's Sentences was written by Gabby Birenbaum.

Report: Cuomo’s sexual harassment violated state and federal law

Getty Images

• New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) sexually harassed multiple women and created a work environment that was “hostile to women,” said New York Attorney General Letitia James. [CNN / Tierney Sneed and Sonia Moghe]
• For months, James had been leading an investigation into Cuomo’s behavior after several women came forward with public allegations of sexual harassment. The investigation included poring over 74,000 pieces of evidence, and interviews with 179 people, as well as Cuomo himself. [The Washington Post / Josh Dawsey]
• In a lengthy report published Tuesday, the investigation found that Cuomo’s actions are in violation of several federal and state laws, though James said the inquiry did not reach a conclusion regarding whether or not Cuomo can be criminally prosecuted. [HuffPost / Alanna Vagianos]
• James’ investigation found that Cuomo harassed 11 women — more than the number who publicly came forward. [NBC News / Teaganne Finn and Tom Winter]
• Cuomo’s harassment included non-consensual groping, kissing, hugging, touching, and sexual comments, and he retaliated against at least one woman. Overall, the harassment created a culture of fear enforced by Cuomo and his aides. [The New York Times / Luis Ferré-Sadurní and William K. Rashburn]
• The report contains specific stories of abuse of office, such as instructing aides to bend rules to hire a state trooper as a member of his security detail, touching her on her stomach and hip, and running his finger down her spine while saying, “Hey you.” [The Hill / Tal Axelrod]
• Cuomo has repeatedly insisted that he will not resign. State lawmakers could pursue impeachment against him. [CNBC / Kevin Brueninger and Dan Mangan]
• The governor has not said what his reelection plans are. But he raised more than $1 million at a fundraiser this summer, when the investigation was in full swing, suggesting he may still want to run for a fourth term. [BuzzFeed News / Amber Jamieson and Matt Berman]

Deadly flooding in China

• Chinese authorities have announced that 302 people are dead and 50 have still not been found in a July flood in the Henan province. [The Associated Press]
• While the landslides and initial flooding were responsible for most of the deaths, people were also trapped in house collapses, underground spaces, and on public transit. [CNN / Jessie Yeung]
• In the city of Zhengzhou, the amount of rainfall recorded in three days was equivalent to a typical year. Nearly 9,000 homes have been damaged, and over 13 million people were affected in one way or another. [BBC News]
• Officials in Henan had initially said 99 people died between July 16 and the beginning of this week, but then tripled the number without explanation. [The New York Times / Austin Ramzy]
• The extreme flooding is associated with climate change, experts said, and will only become more common. [The New York Times / Steven Lee Myers, Keith Bradsher, and Chris Buckley]

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio is implementing a vaccine mandate starting in September for indoor experiences including dining, the gym, live performances, and clubs. [Politico / Amanda Eisenberg]

• In her return to competition, gymnast Simone Biles won a bronze medal in the women’s individual balance beam event. [ESPN]
• Sen. Lindsey Graham’s (R-SC) breakthrough Covid-19 case has made waves in the Senate. Several senators had to get tested because they were at Sen. Joe Manchin’s (D-WV) houseboat party with Graham. [The Hill / Jordain Carney]
• Reese Witherspoon’s entertainment company Hello Sunshine has been sold to Blackstone for more than $900 million. [Variety / Brent Lang and Rebecca Rubin]

Support our journalism

“This investigation has revealed conduct that corrodes the very fabric and character of our state government.”

[New York Attorney General Letitia James, on her findings regarding sexual harassment claims against Gov. Andrew Cuomo]

Hundreds of employees for the gaming studio Activision Blizzard are speaking out after the company was sued for sexual harassment and gender-based discrimination. The incident is highlighting the industry’s systemic issues of sexism and abuse. [Spotify / Zoë Schiffer]

Read more from Vox

Breakthrough cases aren’t the cause of the US’ Covid-19 surge

It’s hard to be a moral person. Technology is making it harder.

America isn’t panicking about inflation

Can we save the planet by shrinking the economy?

The lapsed eviction moratorium is the Supreme Court’s fault

This email was sent to you. Manage your email preferences or unsubscribe. If you value Vox’s unique explanatory journalism, support our work with a one-time or recurring contribution.

View our Privacy Notice and our Terms of Service.

Vox Media, 1201 Connecticut Ave. NW, Floor 11, Washington, DC 20036.
Copyright © 2021. All rights reserved.