Andrew Cuomo, 63, has responded to the accusation of Sherry Vill, 55, of Greece, Monroe County, New York, United States. She is the fifth woman accusing the 56th New York governor of giving unwanted kisses or hugs.
Represented by Gloria Allred, 79, Vill talked about her accusation during an online press conference on March 29, 2021. The accuser is a married woman with a son.
In 2017, Cuomo visited Vill’s house in Greece after it was damaged by flood. According to her, when he was introduced to him, he leaned over and kissed her cheeks in a highly sexual manner.
“He said, ‘That’s what Italians do, kiss both cheeks,'” NBC News quoted Vill as saying of Cuomo. She said she was shocked by his actions.
“I am Italian,” Vill added. “In my family, family members kiss. Strangers do not kiss.”
After kissing Vill, Cuomo allegedly told her she was beautiful before touring her house. Afterwards, he talked to her again, took her hand, asked if there was anything else she wanted, leaned down, forcibly grabbed her face and kissed her cheek, according to her.
Vill’s son took a video of the incident. Days later, she received a call from a woman in Cuomo’s office inviting her to an event with the governor without inviting any other member of her family.
According to Vill, she did not return the call. She later received photos of her and Cuomo speaking, one of which was signed by the governor.
In response, Cuomo’s lawyer Rita Glavin released a statement, which was obtained by The Post-Standard. She said he has frequently sought to comfort New Yorkers with hugs and kisses during times of crisis.
“As I have said before, the governor has greeted both men and women with hugs, a kiss on the cheek, forehead or hand for the past forty years,” Glavin said of Cuomo. “I encourage everyone to look at other photographs from his visit to Greece, New York that day.”
