Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Andrew Cuomo

Controversies are a part of history. Explore the biggest scandals linked to Andrew Cuomo.

Andrew Mark Cuomo is an American lawyer and politician who served as the 56th Governor of New York from 2011 to 2021. A Democrat and son of former Governor Mario Cuomo, his tenure ended in resignation following multiple sexual harassment allegations. Currently, Cuomo is pursuing an independent candidacy for Mayor of New York City, having been defeated in the Democratic primary by Zohran Mamdani.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

July 25, 2011: Lawsuit filed against the Marriage Equality Act

On July 25, 2011, a lawsuit was filed in the New York Supreme Court seeking an injunction against the Marriage Equality Act.

June 2012: Cuomo administration considers lifting ban on fracking

In June 2012, the Cuomo administration said it was considering lifting a state ban on hydraulic fracturing (fracking) to stimulate the economy in upstate New York.

January 15, 2013: Cuomo signs NY SAFE Act into law

On January 15, 2013, Andrew Cuomo signed the NY SAFE Act into law, the first state gun control bill to pass after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. It was described as the toughest gun control law in the United States.

June 20, 2013: New York State Assembly passed the Women's Equality Act

On June 20, 2013, the New York State Assembly passed the Women's Equality Act, which included 10 component bills related to issues like domestic violence, human trafficking, and pregnancy discrimination. However, the Reproductive Health Act, the tenth bill, faced opposition in the State Senate.

July 2014: Report of the Moreland Commission Investigation

In July 2014, reports surfaced that the Moreland Commission, established by Cuomo to combat political corruption, was directed away from potentially damaging investigations. Cuomo later disbanded the commission.

September 2016: Joseph Percoco Indictment in Buffalo Billion Bribery Investigation

In September 2016, Joseph Percoco, a close friend and former top aide to Cuomo, was indicted as part of a bribery investigation related to the Buffalo Billion project. Several developers who were major donors to Cuomo and other state politicians were also indicted. Cuomo was not accused of any wrongdoing.

May 2017: Sherry Vill alleges Cuomo kissed her inappropriately

In May 2017, Sherry Vill, a New York constituent whose flood-damaged house Cuomo had visited, alleged that Cuomo had inappropriately kissed her twice on her cheek during that visit.

June 2017: Cuomo declares state of emergency for NYC subway system

In June 2017, after a series of subway disasters, Andrew Cuomo declared a "state of emergency" for the New York City Subway system.

March 2018: Joseph Percoco Convicted on Felony Charges

In March 2018, Joseph Percoco was convicted on felony charges of solicitation of bribes and honest services fraud, related to bribes he took from individuals seeking official favors on behalf of an energy company. Cuomo stated he would respect the jury's verdict and that there is no tolerance for any violation of the public trust.

September 2018: Joseph Percoco Sentenced to Prison

In September 2018, Judge Valerie Caproni sentenced Joseph Percoco to 6 years in prison for his felony convictions. Percoco was convicted of solicitation of bribes and honest services fraud earlier in March 2018.

January 22, 2019: Cuomo signed the Reproductive Health Act

On January 22, 2019, Andrew Cuomo signed the 2019 version of the Reproductive Health Act after Democrats gained control of the state Senate. To celebrate, Cuomo ordered One World Trade Center and other landmarks to be lit in pink, sparking criticism from conservatives and the Catholic cardinal Timothy Dolan.

September 2019: Anna Ruch Encountered Cuomo at a Wedding Reception

In September 2019, Anna Ruch encountered Cuomo socially at a wedding reception where he allegedly touched her without consent on her bare lower back while posing for a photograph. She said the incident made her feel "uncomfortable and embarrassed". In March 2021, Ruch came forward alleging the incident.

March 2020: New York State Department of Health Issued Order on Nursing Home Admissions

In March 2020, Cuomo and the New York State Department of Health issued an order on March 25 requiring nursing homes to admit patients regardless of COVID test result and prohibiting testing of prospective patients. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services had already issued a directive that nursing homes should admit anyone they would normally admit, including people coming from hospitals where COVID-19 was present.

March 2020: Scrutiny of Chris Cuomo's Positive Covid-19 Test

In March 2020, particular scrutiny went to the positive test of Cuomo's brother Chris amid other conflicts of interest that commentators saw in their relationship. In March 2021, allegations came out that Cuomo prioritized COVID-19 tests for his family and other associates during the early stages of the pandemic when tests were limited.

June 2020: COVID-19 Deaths in New York Nursing Homes

As of June 2020, more than 6,000 New York state nursing home residents had died of COVID-19. This followed a March 2020 order that required nursing homes to admit patients regardless of COVID test result and prohibited testing of prospective patients. By the time the order was undone, on May 10, as many as 4,500 COVID-19 infected patients had been sent to nursing homes in New York state.

July 2020: Report on Nursing Home Admissions

In July 2020, the Cuomo administration issued a report concluding that most nursing home admissions took place after peak nursing home mortality, which suggested that it was nursing home staff that drove infections.

November 2020: Unnamed aide claims Cuomo groped her at the governor's mansion

In November 2020, an unnamed aide claimed that after being summoned to the governor's mansion, Cuomo allegedly groped her after rising from his desk. The aide said that when she told him it would get him in trouble, Cuomo shut the door and said "I don't care," and then groped one of her breasts over her bra by reaching under her blouse.

December 13, 2020: Lindsey Boylan Accused Cuomo of Sexual Harassment

On December 13, 2020, Lindsey Boylan, a former aide, alleged that Cuomo had sexually harassed her for years. She stated that he "exists without ethics," "takes advantage of people," and ran a "toxic team environment."

January 2021: Report on Undercounted Covid-19 Deaths

In January 2021, State attorney general Letitia James's report found that the administration undercounted COVID-19-related deaths at nursing homes by as much as 50%. This was due to discounting nursing home patients who died after being taken to a hospital rather than within the nursing home itself.

January 29, 2021: Cuomo states he does not trust health officials' expertise

During a press conference on January 29, 2021, Andrew Cuomo stated that he did not trust the expertise of health officials.

February 2021: Lindsey Boylan Elaborated on Accusations

In February 2021, Lindsey Boylan elaborated on her accusations against Cuomo, claiming he goaded her to play strip poker with him in 2017 and forcibly kissed her on the mouth in his Manhattan office. The governor's office denied Boylan's claims.

February 27, 2021: Charlotte Bennett Accused Cuomo of Sexual Harassment

On February 27, 2021, Charlotte Bennett, an executive assistant and health policy advisor of Cuomo, accused him of sexual harassment. She alleged that he asked her about her sex life on several occasions in late spring 2020 and if she had been in sexual relationships with older men. Cuomo denied making advances to Bennett and acting inappropriately towards her.

March 1, 2021: Attorney General Instructed to Proceed with Investigation of Cuomo

On March 1, 2021, Cuomo's senior counsel and special adviser Beth Garvey instructed New York Attorney General Letitia James to proceed with an independent investigation of Cuomo. On the same day, a third woman, Anna Ruch, came forward alleging Cuomo had sexually harassed her and touched her without consent on her bare lower back while posing for a photograph.

March 11, 2021: New York Assembly Approves Impeachment Investigation

On March 11, 2021, the New York Assembly approved a separate impeachment investigation into the sexual misconduct allegations made against Cuomo.

March 2021: Allegations of Prioritized COVID-19 Tests

In March 2021, allegations surfaced that Cuomo prioritized COVID-19 tests for his family and associates during the early stages of the pandemic when tests were limited. His brother Chris' positive test in March 2020 also faced scrutiny.

August 3, 2021: Attorney General releases report concluding Cuomo sexually harassed 11 women

On August 3, 2021, Attorney General James's five-month investigation concluded with the release of a report. This report concluded that during Cuomo's time in office, he sexually harassed 11 women, including unwanted groping, kissing and sexual comments, and also found that Cuomo's office had engaged in illegal retaliation against Boylan for her allegation against him.

August 10, 2021: Cuomo Announces Resignation as Governor of New York

On August 10, 2021, despite denying all allegations of sexual harassment, Cuomo announced that he would step down as Governor of New York, effective August 24.

October 28, 2021: Cuomo to be charged with misdemeanor sex crime

On October 28, 2021, a spokesman for the state court system announced that Cuomo would be charged with a misdemeanor sex crime in the Albany City Court.

November 16, 2021: JCOPE Revoked Authorization for Cuomo's Book Publication

On November 16, 2021, the JCOPE revoked its prior authorization for Cuomo to publish his book, citing the use of state staff, buildings, and resources in writing, editing, and publishing. Cuomo and his spokesperson denied any wrongdoing.

December 14, 2021: Cuomo ordered to pay New York state $5.1 million in book profits

On December 14, 2021, the Joint Commission on Public Ethics ordered Andrew Cuomo to pay New York state $5.1 million in profits from his book, "American Crisis". The commission stated that Cuomo used state resources to write the book.

December 23, 2021: Nassau County District Attorney declines filing criminal charges

On December 23, 2021, Nassau County District Attorney Joyce Smith declined filing criminal charges against Cuomo.

December 28, 2021: Westchester County District Attorney declines to issue criminal charges

On December 28, 2021, the Westchester County District Attorney declined to issue criminal charges against Cuomo, citing "statutory requirements" of New York.

January 4, 2022: Albany County District Attorney Drops Criminal Complaint Against Cuomo

On January 4, 2022, Albany County District Attorney David Soares dropped a criminal complaint against Cuomo and also announced that Cuomo would not face any other charges related to other groping allegations, citing lack of evidence.

January 13, 2022: Deadline for Cuomo to return book proceeds

January 13, 2022, was the deadline for Andrew Cuomo to return the proceeds from his book as ordered by the Joint Commission on Public Ethics.

January 31, 2022: Final sexual misconduct case against Cuomo is dropped

On January 31, 2022, the fifth and final sexual misconduct case against Cuomo, made by Virginia Limmiatis, was dropped by Oswego district attorney Gregory Oakes, effectively clearing him of all charges.

August 2022: Cuomo wins lawsuit, permitted to keep book proceeds

In August 2022, the state appellate court upheld a lower court decision finding that New York's ethics watchdog commission was unconstitutional. As a result, Andrew Cuomo won his lawsuit and was permitted to keep the proceeds from the sale of his book.

2022: New York State Attorney General Attempts to Prevent State from Paying Cuomo's Legal Fees

In 2022, the New York State Attorney General attempted to prevent the state from being required to pay for a portion of Cuomo's legal fees relating to the sexual misconduct scandal, but Cuomo successfully sued the AG, claiming that the state was required to pay for those legal fees.

May 2023: Supreme Court Overturns Percoco's Bribery Conviction

In May 2023, the Supreme Court unanimously overturned Joseph Percoco's bribery conviction. He was initially convicted in March 2018 and sentenced to 6 years in prison in September 2018.

September 11, 2023: New York State Supreme Court Ruled in Cuomo's Favor

On September 11, 2023, the New York State Supreme Court ruled in Cuomo's favor, claiming that the new commission was unconstitutional. The court's reasoning was that the constitution will not permit those powers to be transferred to (an) independent commission amounting to an unsanctioned fourth branch of government

November 24, 2023: Commisso files sexual harassment lawsuit against Cuomo

On November 24, 2023, Brittany Commisso filed a lawsuit against Cuomo alleging sexual harassment under the New York Adult Survivors Act, claiming inappropriate interactions, actions by Cuomo, and retaliation. Cuomo's attorney responded claiming that Commisso's claims were false and an attempt at a "cash-grab".

October 2024: U.S. House Subcommittee Finds Evidence of Report Tampering

In October 2024, a U.S. House of Representatives select subcommittee found overwhelming evidence that Cuomo reviewed, edited, and drafted portions of a New York State Department of Health report. This report was used to combat criticism of his Administration’s pandemic-era nursing home policies. The subcommittee stated that the report low-balled nursing home fatalities and blamed nursing home staff for causing excess COVID-19 deaths.

January 7, 2025: Trial Hearings Started in New York State High Court of Appeals

On January 7, 2025, trial hearings started in the New York State High Court of Appeals. These hearings are regarding Cuomo's appeal against the investigation by the new commission. Government advocate Rachel Fauss stated that if the court were to side with previous rulings, it would mean the end of ethics enforcement in the state.

February 18, 2025: Top Court Declared New Commission Constitutional

On February 18, 2025, the top court declared that the new commission is constitutional, and thus the probe on Cuomo's book continues.

March 2025: Costs relating to investigations and legal cases from Cuomo's scandals reach $61 million

According to the Comptroller of New York State, the total costs relating to the investigations and legal cases from Cuomo's multiple scandals, had reached around $61 million by March 2025.

March 21, 2025: Cuomo sues the state comptroller

On March 21, 2025, Cuomo opened a new lawsuit against the state comptroller after the comptroller rejected paying for a separate case against the AG that was dismissed by the court a month before. Cuomo claims that he is entitled for the state to pay for his case because it involves activity that occurred when he was in office.

May 2025: Department of Justice Opened an Investigation into Cuomo's Testimony

In May 2025, the Department of Justice opened an investigation into Cuomo's testimony to Congress after it was found that the statements distancing himself from the tampering of the report were "demonstrably false."

2025: Legal cost issue becomes a major talking point in the 2025 New York City Democratic mayoral primary

In 2025, the issue over the legal and investigative costs has become a major talking point by Cuomo's opponents in the 2025 New York City Democratic mayoral primary, and a new bill was proposed in the state legislature.