Judge dismisses retaliation suit against Cuomo in sexual harassment case against police officer

A federal judge on Friday dismissed a retaliation lawsuit against Andrew Cuomo. The subject of the high-profile trial of a state police officer was sexual harassment. Cuomo claims the former governor of New York groped her.

But the central allegation of sexual harassment against Cuomo by the woman known as “Trooper 1” remained unaffected by the partial dismissal of the lawsuit by Brooklyn federal judge LaShann DeArcy Hall.

Trooper 1’s attorney, Valdi Licul, said additional lawsuits alleging federal retaliation are pending.

“With all due respect to the court, today’s decision sets a dangerous precedent,” Licul said in a statement. “It allows sexual harassers and their supporters who resign in disgrace to exact revenge on their victims without facing legal consequences.”

“It should not go unnoticed that the allegations of sexual harassment against Mr. Cuomo and the New York State Police are being pursued.”

Cuomo resigned as governor in 2021 after a high-profile investigation by Attorney General Letitia James found that he had sexually harassed several women, including Trooper 1.

He has denied the allegations, and records show he has until July 19 to respond to the latest version of Trooper 1’s complaint.

“The Attorney General’s report was nothing more than a political gimmick with no legal basis,” Rita Glavin, Cuomo’s lawyer, said in a statement.

“Even though politics and a ruthless media mob prevailed in 2021, in the end truth and the rule of law will prevail.”

Trooper 1 alleged that Cuomo’s misbehavior while on duty in 2019 included touching her on the stomach and back and kissing her on the cheek.

She also alleged that Cuomo and two of his deputies – former chief of staff Melissa DeRosa and spokesman Rich Azzopardi – retaliated against her for speaking out.

The judge dismissed the retaliation against Cuomo based on city and state human rights laws because the alleged reprisals occurred after the governor’s resignation, court documents show.

According to the documents, Hall had already denied allegations of retaliation against DeRosa and Azzopardi in September.

“This decision confirms what we have said all along: Trooper #1’s complaint was a gross abuse of the court system and a transparent attempt to exploit the Attorney General’s bogus report for their own financial gain,” the two said in a joint statement.

“Those efforts have failed. We believe Judge Hall’s ruling shows that Trooper #1’s claims were frivolous, and we are therefore exploring our legal options.”