New details have emerged about how Melissa DeRosa — a top aide and trusted confidante to Gov. Andrew Cuomo — allegedly helped try to bury the sexual harassment allegations against her boss.
The scathing official report confirming the three-term Democrat Cuomo’s potentially criminal behavior states that DeRosa played a key role in leaking the personnel file of one accuser in an attempt to discredit her — something Attorney General Letitia James’ independent probers found amounted to unlawful retaliation.
The Cuomo consigliere also pressured at least one former staffer to “surreptitiously record” a phone call with a government aide in the hopes of finding out what dirt she potentially had on the governor, the report alleges.
DeRosa, 38, was hired by Cuomo in 2013, after earlier jobs as acting chief of staff for since-disgraced ex-Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and as the state director of the advocacy group Organizing for America.
The daughter of leading Albany lobbyist Giorgio DeRosa, she was promoted in 2017 to secretary to the governor, making her the first woman to hold the powerful position, which officially ranks her No. 1 on Cuomo’s staff.
A source who has frequent contact with both DeRosa and Cuomo previously told The Post that, “Melissa is very fiercely loyal and protective of the governor.”
“She can be very tough to deal with,” the source said, adding, “DeRosa is feared … If you cross her, you’re crossing the governor.”
DeRosa played a major role as secretary to the governor, in Cuomo’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, as well as the administration’s alleged cover-up of nursing-home COVID-19 deaths.
As The Post exclusively revealed, DeRosa privately told Democratic lawmakers that his administration stonewalled their requests for complete data on nursing home deaths from the virus.
She also helped him craft his lucrative memoir about the crisis, a project that has since come under scrutiny by the feds.
A top communications manager at Facebook helped Gov. Andrew Cuomo fight sexual misconduct allegations — including by helping leak confidential files about accuser Lindsey Boylan and by participating in regular discussions about Cuomo’s communications strategy, according to the New York attorney general’s bombshell investigation.
Dani Lever — who had worked in Cuomo’s press operation since 2014 but left in August 2020 to join Facebook as a communications manager — played a key role in Cuomo’s communications strategy even while working for Facebook, according to the investigation released Tuesday.
In December 2020, former Cuomo staffer Lindsey Boylan became the first of several women to accuse the governor of sexual harassment. Hours later, Cuomo communications director Rich Azzopardi decided to send Boylan’s confidential personnel files to several journalists in what investigators called an attempt to "discredit and disparage" her.
"Ms. Lever coordinated with some of the reporters who received the documents to let them know that the Executive Chamber would be sending them," reads the report.
The smear attempt came amid Lever’s broader participation in Cuomo’s defense as part of a "team of advisors from within and outside the Chamber [who] had ongoing and regular discussions about how to respond to the allegations publicly" that also included Cuomo’s CNN host brother Chris, according to the attorney general. Lever’s name appears 25 times in the attorney general’s report.
CNN anchor Chris Cuomo was among a group of advisors not employed by New York state who were provided confidential and privileged information by the Executive Chamber as his brother Gov. Andrew Cuomo tried to respond to a slew of sexual harassment allegations earlier this year, Attorney General Letitia James’ report revealed.
In the report, investigators led by Joon Kim and Anne Clark wrote that it was “revealing” that the governor enlisted a number of confidantes to respond to the allegations — including Chris Cuomo and political operative Lis Smith — who were never employed by the state.
“None of them was officially retained in any capacity by the Executive Chamber or any of the individuals involved,” the report states.
“Nonetheless, they were regularly provided with confidential and often privileged information about state operations and helped make decisions that impacted State business and employees—all without any formal role, duty, or obligation to the State,” it adds.
38 comments:
He's pumping her like a car at a gas station
love to see that pos Cuomo end in ruin, too bad his scumbag father is not alive to see this
"Hours later, Cuomo communications director Rich Azzopardi decided to send Boylan’s confidential personnel files to several journalists in what investigators called an attempt to "discredit and disparage" her."
Did the journalists use the info, and if so, did they report where it came from?
Did Chris Cuomo use his CNN email account to counsel his big brother on how to "beat the charges" against him, and to receive the Boylan personnel file, or did he use his private email account? If it was his CNN account, that would have to be yet another violation of journalism ethics committed by the former boy wonder.
Keep dragging it out, CUOMIGULA... It'll only get worse for you.
I think we all know that this new "law" is un-enforceable. Most other laws in this city have never been enforced, why would this one be any different. Where are these inspectors going to come from that will check for vaccinated patrons?
The only good thing that will come from this, is that some of the inconsiderate selfish Fox News Sheeple may finally get vaccinated so that kids can finally go back to school and people can return to some kind of normal life.
Lock Him Up !
I can almost hear The Godfather soundtrack in the background. Does he have an heir for a Godfather III ?
Is the right becoming woke?
Proof that (REAL) justice in this country is dead is the fact that this scumbag is STILL in office despite this and other offenses.
As a whistleblower, Cuomo's Executive Chamber destroyed my life too, as well as years of retaliation, cover ups and unlawful labor practices, all of which abrogated my NYCERS pension in five minutes' time (versus the decades of whistleblowing and public watchdog agency alerts that I have strenuously emphasized, all of which have been ignored and disregarded), despite how all of the evidence has supported my allegations without question, to the point that my accusers now all agree that they covered up evidence that should have restored my city job and pension. Even the Public Integrity Unit has ignored obvious corruption within their purview to remedy. Now, I can understand fear (Used as the currency of control) and bureaucratic cover ups: But, governmental corruption at top levels still run deep!
If anyone has the opportunity to run into Andy or Chris, just remind them that in 10 years from now nobody will remember their dad, they will only remember what a disgrace these two were. They both have brought shame to their name. And that’s what will bother them the most.
Did Cuomo "grab her by the pussy" - the cop in the elevator- or was it just an oafish case of playful kitzykoo? That's his argument.
Why hasn't Governor Cuomo been arrested isn't his sexual behavior what he's accused of a crime against civil law. If that was me or you we would have been arrested already sitting in Rikers waiting to make bail Etc no one would have gone to any process to get us away from our job whenever they might be so why they paying him any attention of getting him out of the governor's mansion arrest him and take the matter like any other citizen that has been accused of the sexual misconduct
The problem here is that Handsy Andy's employment of the time-honored "mano morto" to cop some feelage is the LEAST of his sins. This corrupt fuckball has pimped out state government to every Hollywood sleaze and real estate "macher" for over a decade.
Why hasn't Governor Cuomo been arrested ?
Because it is not a crime for a single male (of any age) to like a young woman.
It may be inappropriate but it not against the law.
Those young women accusing him of getting excited we asking him about getting tattoos, belly button rings and stuff. --Read the report
Bill Clinton, Bill Cosby, Harvey Weinstien and countless sports figures did far worse. They committed actual rapes, drugging, roofies, sodomy.
Bill Clinton sexually assaulted Monika with a cigar, then wanted oral sex under the White House desk. Hell, Clinton lied under oath too.
Why was that OK with everybody ?
"Did Cuomo "grab her by the pussy" - the cop in the elevator"
According to the report she was talking about getting a tattoo or piercing for her birthday, and the governor pointed to her belly button or something.
If she was a cop in uniform it would take quite a bit to expose a belly button and why would a woman d that if she was uncomfortable around him..
Did she or some ghost lift her own shirt and welcome the Governor (a single straight male with lots of money to look-see?
Lets see what actual facts end up in court.
If its anything like the other arrests in Ny, he will be put in jail for a few days then let out to go right back to doing what he was doing before. Ny doesn't exactly have the most strictest prison sentences.
Next time I go to a restaurant I'm going to bring my bible. When asked for my vaccine papers, I'll say, "my lord Jesus is my vaccine. I need no other. "
"Anonymous said...
Why hasn't Governor Cuomo been arrested isn't his sexual behavior what he's accused of a crime against civil law."
Good point. And why hasn't Trump been arrested for the same reason?
Still, it's great to see the right wingers on the MeeToo bandwagon. Welcome aboard.
Will CNN’s most favored blowhard, report on the bombshell about his big brother’s long-term sexual predation ? I don't think so ... And where is Hunter ?
Speaking of the Godfather. There seems to be an offshoot of the franchise down in everyone's favorite fruitcake state, Florida. Little Mini-Trump is busy denying science, spreading the virus amongst his flock of Sheeple and defending Israel from the evils of Ben & Jerry's ice cream.
What with DeBlasio, Cuomo, and this guy, I don't think the nations problems are with Mexican immigrants, it's more of an issue with Italian Americans on a power trip.
Another DeMoRat gets arested !
Arizona State Senator Tony Navarrete Arrested on Suspicion of Sexual Conduct With a Child.
"Italian Americans on a power trip" Are You are a racist ? Or just a dumb #BLUEANON ?
@“ Anonymous said...
"Italian Americans on a power trip" Are You are a racist ? Or just a dumb #BLUEANON ?”
Oh! Here we go with the old racism thing again.
There is going to be a continuous push to get him out of power for harassment. The nursing home scandal involves many more people in positions of power in NY and they will use this smoke screen to save their jobs.
@ MeeToo , you too Andreus seek help soon.
What about our NY Secretary of State Rossana Rosado who was once accused of propositioning a male editor working for her.
Do women get a free pass for bad sexual behavior ?
Its an epidemic, anybody who has simply dated somebody can be accused and blackmailed.
Just recently actor Joel Kinnaman, and several ball players.
It seems lawyers are setting these blackmail cases up to get easy cash settlements.
Kinnaman went on 2 dates with a Swedish model, and when he knew she wasn't going to work out and "ditched her" she got pissed and claimed she was a member of the Crips and threatened members of the gang would kill him.
The bitch then suddenly claimed he raped her and demanded an apartment for 1 year, a work visa, a Wiki page, a verified Instagram, an introduction to a Hollywood agent and other compensation in exchange for staying silent.
Kinnaman went to the cops, now the media is doing the same to him as the Governor.
Shhhhhhh Cuomo's on!
Who has the power to elevate Cuomo to king status and then knee cap him after he's served his purpose?
Hillary Clinton. She wants to be governor of NY. God help us.
Andrew "America was never great"Cuomo better start buying Hunters artwork !
Just saying ...
Cuomo is probably at Obama's party
Andrew Cuomo needs them nipple clamps with electricity!
Andy's Next book ~ How to get rid of elderly & get away with it !
Cuomo is still telling people to pound sand he has no fear !
Andrew C & Gretchen witchmoore make a great corrupt couple !
I Carry bear spray for Cuomo-like attacks.
Did Cuomo "grab her by the pussy"....
Actually he grabbed her tits.
Go figure.
"Andrew C & Gretchen witchmoore make a great corrupt couple !"
Make it a corrupt threesome and add Beetlejuice from the Windy City....
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