Cuomo sues over no legal help from state during sexual misconduct trial

Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo wants taxpayers to pay his legal bills related to the sexual misconduct trial that forced him out of office. Cuomo filed a lawsuit Thursday, suing New York State Attorney General Letitia James.

Cuomo argued James violated state law by denying him public assistance for his defense. The suit claims James’ position is in violation of laws providing protections for Cuomo when the allegations come from when “he was acting within the scope of his employment or duties.” The suit also called James’ investigation “deeply flawed, misleading and one-sided.” James released a statement in response to the lawsuit.

“Sexually harassing young women who work for you is not part of anyone’s job description,” James said. “Taxpayers should not have to pony up for legal bills that could reach millions of dollars so Mr. Cuomo’s lawyer can attack survivors of his abuse.”

The sexual harassment lawsuit against Cuomo was filed by an unnamed New York state trooper who said Cuomo touched her inappropriately. Thursday marked one year since Cuomo resigned from office. He resigned after an investigation by James found he sexually harassed nearly a dozen women and that he and aides worked to retaliate against one of his accusers.

Ultimately, all five criminal investigations into allegations of sexual misconduct against Cuomo ended without him being charged. The district attorneys on the cases concluded there were insufficient legal grounds to bring criminal charges. Oswego County District Attorney Gregory Oakes said in a statement that his decision to drop charges was not a reflection on Virginia Limmiatis, the woman who had come forward in his county, “or how harmful the acts she experienced were.”

His words were similar to other DAs from other counties where Cuomo faced sexual misconduct allegations. Albany, Westchester, and Nassau counties opened inquiries into separate allegations but declined to prosecute even though they found the women accusing Mr. Cuomo to be credible.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.