The lawsuits involving Andrew Cuomo fall into four tracks: sexual harassment civil suits brought by former state employees, a defamation suit Cuomo himself filed against one of his accusers, a federal Title VII settlement between the U.S. Department of Justice and the New York State Executive Chamber, and a separate federal criminal investigation into whether Cuomo lied to Congress about nursing home deaths. Two accusers have settled with New York State for $450,000 each. A third case, filed by a former state trooper, remains active in federal court. A criminal misdemeanor charge filed against Cuomo in 2021 was dismissed. Taxpayers have spent at least $20 million on his legal defense in the harassment cases alone.
Charlotte Bennett’s Settlement With New York State
Charlotte Bennett, a former health policy aide, alleged Cuomo asked her about her sex life and whether she liked older men.1NY AG. Report of Investigation Into Allegations of Sexual Harassment by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo She filed a federal lawsuit against Cuomo and several aides in the Southern District of New York in September 2022, and a separate suit against New York State in March 2023 arguing the state was liable as her employer.2Spectrum News. Ex-Aide Settles With State Over Cuomo Liability Case
Bennett voluntarily dismissed her federal lawsuit against Cuomo and his former aides in December 2024, keeping her case against the state alive.3Spectrum News. Cuomo Countersues Ex-Aide Who Accused Him of Sexual Harassment On April 18, 2025, she and New York State reached a $450,000 settlement covering lost pay, personal injury, non-economic damages, and attorney fees. The settlement included no admission of liability by the state. A spokesperson for Governor Hochul said the agreement “allows the State to minimize further cost to the taxpayers.”4The New York Times. Cuomo Charlotte Bennett Settlement In earlier court filings, the state had characterized Bennett’s claims as “petty slights” and “trivial inconveniences.”2Spectrum News. Ex-Aide Settles With State Over Cuomo Liability Case
Brittany Commisso’s Settlement With New York State
Brittany Commisso, a former executive assistant, alleged Cuomo groped her breast at the Executive Mansion in December 2020.1NY AG. Report of Investigation Into Allegations of Sexual Harassment by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo She filed a civil suit in November 2023 alleging sexual harassment, retaliation, and discrimination, using the Adult Survivors Act, a New York law that temporarily suspended the statute of limitations for sexual assault claims.5NBC New York. Andrew Cuomo Sexual Harassment Settlement She alleged unwanted hugs, kisses, and groping, and said she was demoted and reassigned after reporting the incidents.6New York Post. NY Taxpayers to Shell Out Nearly $500K as Another Andrew Cuomo Accuser Receives Settlement
On July 18, 2025, New York State agreed to a $450,000 settlement, split evenly between Commisso and her legal team. Her lawyers called the agreement a “complete vindication of her claims.”5NBC New York. Andrew Cuomo Sexual Harassment Settlement The settlement contained no admission of liability. Cuomo’s attorneys opposed dismissal, arguing it was in the public interest to see the evidence gathered during discovery.7ABC7 New York. New York State Agrees to $500K Settlement With Brittney Commisso
Albany Supreme Court Justice Denise Hartman dismissed the case over those objections and criticized Cuomo’s use of public funds. She wrote that “Cuomo has not advanced any viable argument for why the taxpayers of this state should continue to foot the bill for his continued use of civil litigation discovery devices to further his efforts to resurrect his public image.” She added that his push to unseal Commisso’s text messages ahead of the 2025 mayoral election “does not establish prejudice that would justify denial of plaintiff’s motion.”8Yahoo News. Judge Rips Andrew Cuomo for Using $20M in Taxpayer Cash
Trooper 1’s Active Federal Lawsuit
A former New York State Police trooper assigned to Cuomo’s protective detail, identified in court filings as “Trooper 1,” filed a federal lawsuit on February 17, 2022, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York. The suit names Cuomo, former secretary to the governor Melissa DeRosa, and the New York State Police, alleging sexual harassment, retaliation, and discrimination.9Times Union. Trooper 1 Files Federal Lawsuit Against Cuomo She alleged Cuomo engaged in inappropriate conversations and physically groped her while she was on his security detail.10Courthouse News Service. Federal Judge Dismisses Retaliation Claim Against Former NY Governor Andrew Cuomo
The case, No. 22-CV-893, has been the most heavily litigated of the harassment suits. Cuomo’s defense team, led by attorney Rita Glavin, has issued extensive subpoenas to the plaintiff and third-party witnesses for years of phone, medical, and personal records. Magistrate Judge Taryn Merkl has repeatedly pushed back, calling some of the defense’s discovery requests “extraordinarily broad” and “not proportional to the needs of the case.”11The City. Cuomo Legal War Against Sexual Harassment Accusers In an October 2025 order, Judge Merkl characterized the defense’s filings as “repeated, voluminous, fact- and exhibit-intensive” and their requests for additional discovery as based on “speculation and conjecture.” The court had already permitted 25 fact witness depositions and granted multiple extensions.12Courthouse News Service. Discovery Order, Trooper 1 v. New York State Police
In July 2026, Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall dismissed the retaliation claim against Cuomo, ruling that the alleged threatening conduct occurred after his resignation. The sexual harassment claim remains active, with no trial date set.10Courthouse News Service. Federal Judge Dismisses Retaliation Claim Against Former NY Governor Andrew Cuomo
Cuomo’s Defamation Lawsuit Against Bennett
On December 19, 2024, the same month Bennett dropped her federal harassment case, Cuomo filed a defamation action against her in New York State Supreme Court in Manhattan. The suit targets a public statement by Bennett and her attorney, Debra Katz, asserting that Cuomo had “sexually harassed” Bennett. Cuomo’s lawyers called the statement “false and defamatory” and said it caused him “a cascade of harm.” The filing seeks compensatory and punitive damages.13City & State New York. Cuomo Sues Former Aide Charlotte Bennett for Defamation
Cuomo’s legal team has sought Bennett’s gynecological and therapist records as part of discovery, a move Bennett’s attorneys characterized as an attempt to “muzzle” her.14Politico. Legal Dramas Would Trail Andrew Cuomo to City Hall Bennett’s attorney has said the suit has “no merit.”13City & State New York. Cuomo Sues Former Aide Charlotte Bennett for Defamation
The Dismissed Criminal Charge
On October 28, 2021, the Albany County Sheriff’s office filed a criminal complaint charging Cuomo with forcible touching, a Class A misdemeanor, based on Commisso’s allegation.15ABC7 New York. Governor Cuomo Resigns Albany County District Attorney David Soares had described the complaint as “potentially defective,” noting the sheriff filed it without consulting his office.16Courthouse News Service. Albany DA Drops Harassment Case Against Cuomo
On January 7, 2022, Albany City Court Judge Holly Trexler dismissed the charge. Soares said his office “cannot successfully secure a conviction in this case,” while calling Commisso “cooperative and credible.”16Courthouse News Service. Albany DA Drops Harassment Case Against Cuomo Four other district attorneys also declined to bring criminal charges related to the harassment allegations, citing insufficient evidence.17Politico. Andrew Cuomo’s Political Career Reaches an Operatic Conclusion
The DOJ Settlement With the Executive Chamber
The U.S. Department of Justice conducted its own investigation and identified at least 13 female employees subjected to harassment in the Executive Chamber, two more than the New York Attorney General’s report had found.18The New York Times. Andrew Cuomo Justice Department Harassment On January 26, 2024, the DOJ announced a settlement with the New York State Executive Chamber resolving claims that Cuomo’s office violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. The DOJ found the office had subjected women to a sexually hostile work environment, tolerated that environment, and retaliated against employees who reported it.19U.S. Department of Justice. Justice Department Secures Settlement Agreement With State of New York Executive Chamber
The agreement formalized workplace reforms Governor Hochul had begun in August 2021 and required additional changes, including expanding the Executive Chamber’s human resources department, creating new protocols for reporting complaints involving high-level officials, and developing anti-retaliation and training programs.19U.S. Department of Justice. Justice Department Secures Settlement Agreement With State of New York Executive Chamber
Who Is Paying for Cuomo’s Defense
New York taxpayers have spent at least $20 million defending Cuomo and several former aides in the three sexual harassment lawsuits alone, according to the state comptroller’s office. The Trooper 1 case has been the most expensive, costing $9.2 million as of May 2025, followed by the Bennett case at roughly $9 million and the Commisso case at about $724,000. The broader tab for all Cuomo-era legal matters, including nursing home investigations and his $5 million book deal, has reached approximately $60 million.20NBC New York. Cuomo Scandal Cost: Legal Defense Taxpayer Money Comptroller Report
The spending is authorized under New York Public Officers Law Section 17, which entitles public officials sued in their official capacity to a legal defense approved by the attorney general. A state judge ruled in 2022 that Cuomo was entitled to taxpayer-funded representation in the Trooper 1 case. State officials have said they have little power to cut off the funding unilaterally because the payments were authorized by a court.21CNN. Andrew Cuomo Legal Defense Payments Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli’s office has said it does not have authority to interfere with the legal strategy and only audits whether fees are “reasonable.”11The City. Cuomo Legal War Against Sexual Harassment Accusers
The Separate Criminal Investigation Into COVID Testimony
Separate from the harassment litigation, the U.S. Department of Justice has opened a criminal investigation into whether Cuomo lied to Congress about his administration’s handling of nursing home deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic. The investigation, conducted by the U.S. attorney’s office in Washington, follows a formal referral from House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, originally transmitted in October 2024 and resubmitted in April 2025.22The Daily Record. Cuomo Covid Nursing Home DOJ Investigation
The referral alleges Cuomo made false statements when he testified before a House subcommittee in June 2024, specifically denying involvement in drafting or reviewing a state health department report on nursing home policies. A 2021 report by the New York Attorney General had found that nursing home deaths under Cuomo’s administration were undercounted by as much as 50 percent.23Rep. Claudia Tenney. Letter Regarding Cuomo Criminal Referral
As of June 2026, no charges have been filed. Cuomo’s spokesperson, Rich Azzopardi, said the former governor was never informed of any investigation and called the referral “lawfare and election interference” that is “transparently political.” Azzopardi said Cuomo “testified truthfully to the best of his recollection about events from four years earlier.”22The Daily Record. Cuomo Covid Nursing Home DOJ Investigation In June 2026, Representative Claudia Tenney wrote to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche requesting a status update, citing the lack of action since the referral was first made.23Rep. Claudia Tenney. Letter Regarding Cuomo Criminal Referral