Debate Crowd Gasps as Mamdani Tells Cuomo One of His Sexual Harassment Accusers Is in the Audience

During a heated New York City mayoral debate on Wednesday, Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani shocked the audience by revealing that one of Andrew Cuomo’s sexual harassment accusers was present in the crowd.

“Mr. Cuomo, in 2021, thirteen women from your administration came forward with credible sexual harassment allegations against you,” Mamdani began. “You’ve spent more than $20 million of taxpayer money defending yourself while dismissing these claims as political attacks. You even pursued legal action against some of these women. One of them, Charlotte Bennett, is here with us tonight.”

The crowd audibly gasped at the revelation. Mamdani continued, “You tried to obtain her private medical records. She can’t speak tonight because of your defamation case, but I can. What would you say to the thirteen women who accused you of harassment?”

The audience responded with a mix of cheers and applause as Cuomo fired back. “If you want to be in government, you need to be serious and mature,” he said. “Yes, there were allegations, and they were reviewed by five district attorneys over four years. Every case was dropped. That’s a fact. So what you just said is simply false.”

Cuomo then pivoted the conversation, questioning Mamdani’s stance on boycotts and sanctions against Uganda for its anti-LGBTQ policies.

Cuomo, who served as governor of New York until 2021, faced accusations from thirteen women, including former aide Charlotte Bennett, who claimed he made inappropriate remarks about her personal life and relationships with older men. Other accusers alleged that Cuomo kissed, touched, and groped them without consent.

The tense exchange highlighted how the former governor’s scandal continues to cast a shadow over his political future, even years after leaving office.