Settlement Reached in Cuomo Lawsuit with $450,000 Payout

A former assistant of Andrew Cuomo settled her sexual harassment lawsuit against the state, receiving a total of $450,000, with half personally awarded to her. The settlement, described by her attorneys as “a complete vindication of her claims,” aligns with a previous settlement by another accuser, Charlotte Bennett.

Brittany Commisso, who served as Cuomo’s executive assistant from 2019 to 2021, filed suit in November 2023, alleging persistent harassment, including unwanted touching, hugging, kisses, and other inappropriate behaviors. She claimed Cuomo groped her inside the governor’s mansion, which led to a criminal investigation dropped in 2022. Her allegations also included retaliation; after reporting the incidents, she was demoted, reassigned, deprived of overtime, and ostracized by colleagues.

Commisso’s legal team emphasized that the settlement confirms her allegations, citing findings from multiple independent investigations that substantiated her claims. Her lawyers stated, “Ms. Commisso is proud to have reported the truth and vindicated her rights in court.”

Cuomo’s representatives, however, dismissed the settlement as “a capitulation to avoid the truth,” denying any admission of guilt and criticizing the agreement as a “meritless lawsuit” aimed at a financial payout. They highlighted that the criminal case was dropped and the settlement amount was significantly less than the original claims.

The settlement amount was split evenly, with Commisso receiving $225,000 and another $225,000 allocated to her legal team. Cuomo, who is seeking a political comeback as a mayoral candidate for New York City, faces ongoing investigations and pending cases, including allegations from a state trooper.