Charlotte Bennett, a former aide to ex-New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, has formally withdrawn her federal lawsuit alleging sexual harassment. Court documents reveal a voluntary dismissal notice was filed on December 9, 2023, just before Bennett's scheduled deposition. While Bennett's legal team stated the dismissal aims to stop Cuomo's alleged continued harassment and allow their client to "be made whole," a representative for Cuomo celebrated the decision, claiming Bennett's accusations were baseless and had "falsely smeared" the former governor. The representative further suggested that Bennett withdrew the suit to avoid admitting under oath that her claims lacked merit. He called for the release of all evidence if New York State settles with Bennett, asserting Cuomo "never sexually harassed anyone." Bennett's lawyers maintain their client will pursue justice through a separate lawsuit against New York State in Manhattan Supreme Court. This ongoing legal battle follows a previous report in The Washington Post that questioned Bennett's history with sexual harassment claims, citing a dropped 2017 lawsuit involving similar allegations against a fellow student. Cuomo's former secretary, Melissa DeRosa, also criticized Bennett's actions, calling the withdrawal unprecedented and highlighting the lack of coverage by the New York Times, which initially broke the story. The original lawsuit detailed alleged inappropriate questions and comments by Cuomo, including inquiries about Bennett's romantic relationships, a proposed pushup competition, and remarks about her appearance. Bennett claims these actions led to anxiety, depression, and a chronic neurological disorder, impacting her career as a public servant.
