Author | Lightnews

Harassment-Free New York @hfny.bsky.social · 14h

New York City doesn't want a Mayor who sexually harasses his staff and the women he's supposed to represent.

New York City doesn't want a corrupt mayor.

Bye, Andrew 👋

“Tonight, New Yorkers sent an unmistakable message: we will not tolerate corruption, and we will not forget.
“Over a year ago, Harassment-Free New York began reminding voters of who Andrew Cuomo really is—a corrupt ex-politician using our taxpayer dollars to wage legal warfare against the women he sexually harassed. Working alongside survivors and advocates, we made sure every voter understood what we've known all along: sexual harassment is the canary in the corruption coal mine.

“By rejecting Cuomo's comeback attempt and electing Zohran Mamdani, hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers declared that sexual harassment is corruption—and we've had enough.
“But our work is far from over. Cuomo is still using taxpayer funds to harass his victims while trying to silence others with a defamation suit. Cuomo and his team of enablers are the poster children of a system that has allowed corruption to flourish for far too long in New York.

“Tonight, we celebrate closing this absurd chapter—the chapter where Cuomo thought he could waltz back into the political arena as if nothing happened. The chapter where some people told us that threats and bullying and fear-mongering were acceptable in the name of ‘progress.’ Instead, New Yorkers spoke up, and proudly declared enough was enough.
“Tomorrow, we get back to work. Harassment-Free New York will continue leading the fight to make every workplace, including the halls of government, a safe environments for everyone. Tonight's mandate gives us strength. And we're just getting started.”

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Reposted by Harassment-Free New York

Erica Vladimer @ericaforny.bsky.social · 26d

“The woman said in a statement said she never felt uncomfortable…and never made a complaint,” why yes because society has made it so very safe for women to voice their discomfort and file formal complaints.

Anna Bower @annabower.bsky.social · 26d

Paul Ingrassia is now threatening to sue Politico:

“This vexatious political attack masquerading as "journalism" is defamatory and will be addressed in forthcoming litigation.”

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Reposted by Harassment-Free New York

Erica Vladimer @ericaforny.bsky.social · 26d

One more thing: this is classic DARVO.

Deny (I didn’t do it/do anything wrong)
Attack (I’m going to sue you)
Reverse Victim & Offender (You’re trying to tank my amazing career and job prospects)

Anna Bower @annabower.bsky.social · 26d

Paul Ingrassia is now threatening to sue Politico:

“This vexatious political attack masquerading as "journalism" is defamatory and will be addressed in forthcoming litigation.”

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Reposted by Harassment-Free New York

Erica Vladimer @ericaforny.bsky.social · Aug 22

Making fun of the harassment, bullying, and abuse that staffers and even reporters experienced at the hands of Cuomo (and his circle) isn’t funny.

Dana Rubinstein @danarubinsteinbsky.bsky.social · Aug 22

City Hall apparently spent money to put whistles on reporters' chairs at this presser -- for the women reporters who have to spend time with Cuomo, Adams says.

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Harassment-Free New York @hfny.bsky.social · Aug 8

After months of pushing, HFNY’s original co-founders secured NY’s first public hearing on sexual harassment in 30 years. Survivors, experts, & advocates spoke openly for 12+ hours. And we secured multiple legislative wins as a result.

Listen to survivors. Lift up survivors. Let survivors lead.

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Reposted by Harassment-Free New York

Erica Vladimer @ericaforny.bsky.social · Jul 3

Every person deserves a harassment-free workplace. A strong investigative process is one that centers the person who was hurt. And when they experience harassment, they deserve support and guidance.

@hfny.bsky.social is here to provide support if you need it.

Any investigation of workplace sexual harassment must not only be thorough, speedy and independent— it must also be survivor centered. Knowing how others who have come forward were treated in the past, I hope the person who made the complaint is getting the support and guidance they deserve.

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Reposted by Harassment-Free New York

Erica Vladimer @ericaforny.bsky.social · Jul 19

I’m glad Brittany will close this chapter, but the settlement clause banning her from seeking employment in the Gov’s office is absolute bull. These blackball clauses (which the Gov. also imposed on Charlotte) should be banned.

@hfny.bsky.social has a bill that will do just that.

Casey Seiler @caseyseiler.bsky.social · Jul 18

Cuomo relaunch week ends with $450K settlement reached by state with Brittany Commisso, the former gubernatorial aide who in 2021 leveled what were arguably the most serious sexual harassment allegations against the former governor. Brendan Lyons reports.

Brittany Commisso settles with NY over Cuomo harassment complaint

Former gubernatorial aide Brittany Commisso settled her lawsuit related to what was seen by many as the most serious sexual harassment allegation against former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo.

www.timesunion.com

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Harassment-Free New York @hfny.bsky.social · Jul 4

@gothamist.com reported yesterday that Small was already investigated for his treatment of staff. The fact that he was still in a position to allegedly sexually harass someone is deeply concerning. Gov. Hochul must transparently remedy the gaps in the executive chamber worker protections policies.

A tweet that says: UPDATE: Avi Small, Gov. Kathy Hochul's press secretary, resigned today. He had been placed on leave last week and was being investigated after another aide accused him of inappropriate touching.

Is quote tweeted, saying: Recent reports indicate that the executive chamber's worker protections and accountability protocols have significant gaps that need to be addressed. Mr. Small’s resignation should not close the book on transparently rectifying these deficiencies.

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Harassment-Free New York @hfny.bsky.social · Jul 2

Every person deserves a harassment-free workplace. A strong investigative process is one that centers the person who was hurt. And when they experience harassment, they deserve support and guidance.

HFNY is here to provide support if you need it.

We just learned that Gov. Kathy Hochul's spokesperson was placed on leave while an investigation takes place into a sexual harassment complaint made against them for inappropriate touching. In response, Founding Director of Harassment-Free New York Erica Vladimer made the following statement:

“Any investigation of workplace sexual harassment must not only be thorough, speedy, and independent— it must also be survivor-centered. Knowing how others who have come forward were treated in the past, I hope the person who made the complaint gets the support and guidance they deserve.”

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Harassment-Free New York @hfny.bsky.social · Jun 30

Tuesday’s election was a public repudiation of the kind of corrupt, vindictive politics Cuomo represents. It's now up to state leaders to follow through on voters’ demands for accountability and to end the misuse of public money in service of political revenge.
4/4

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Harassment-Free New York @hfny.bsky.social · Jun 30

Cuomo, who was found to have sexually harassed at least 11 women and retaliated against some of his former government staffers, continues to pursue a defamation lawsuit against Charlotte, who spoke out against him — a clear attempt to silence and intimidate. 3/

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Harassment-Free New York @hfny.bsky.social · Jun 30

We called on NYS Comptroller Tom DiNapoli to stop allowing the disgraced former gov to use taxpayer $$$ to finance his legal battles in lawsuits filed by 3 women he was found to have sexually harassed. Collectively, these lawsuits have already cost taxpayers over $20 million! 2/

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Harassment-Free New York @hfny.bsky.social · Jun 30

Last week, HFNY Founding Director @ericaforny.bsky.social joined @lindseyboylan.bsky.social, @char-bennett.bsky.social & @biaggi4ny.bsky.social to call on state leaders to take urgent action against Cuomo’s continued abuse of taxpayer resources and legal intimidation tactics. 1/

"New Yorkers just rejected Andrew Cuomo at the ballot box. Now it's time for our state leaders to reject his taxpayer-funded retribution," said Erica Vladimer, Founding Director of Harassment-Free Albany. “Survivors and whistleblowers shouldn’t have to live in fear of being dragged through the legal system simply for telling the truth.”
Speakers also advocated for the swift passage of the Speak Your Truth Act, a bill designed to protect workers and public servants from retaliatory defamation lawsuits. The legislation would provide essential protections to those who come forward with allegations of harassment or misconduct, shielding them from the kind of legal harassment that survivors and former Cuomo staffers are currently enduring.

“We know that perpetrators abuse the legal system to silence their victims through retaliatory defamation lawsuits,” said survivor-advocate Charlotte Bennett. “New York deserves laws that reflect the reality of the legal system in which these suits are retaliatory in nature and muzzle the very people we're trying to protect. This isn't about politics. This isn't about a single individual. The decision is really between supporting survivors and workers and making sure that there are protections in place for them to share their experiences.”

“In 2019, New York really was the pinnacle of leadership, passing the strongest laws for sexual harassment protection, putting survivors voices first and having hearings and making sure that New York continued to be a light for the rest of the nation when it came to sexual harassment and the protections that could be passed,” said former State Senator Alessandra Biaggi. “Now, today, in 2025, it is time to take that next step. We need a commitment from the legislature to pass the Speak Your Truth Act. And there is no excuse any longer to be funding any of the retaliation and, frankly, cruelty that Andrew Cuomo is pursuing by continuing to drag his survivors through the court system. We must cut off his funding, Comptroller DiNappoli. We will have your back when you do it. And we will make sure that Andrew Cuomo's reign of terror ends.”

Tuesday’s election was a public repudiation of the kind of corrupt, vindictive politics Cuomo represents. Advocates say it's now up to state leaders to follow through on voters’ demands for accountability and to end the misuse of public money in service of political revenge.
“Abusing the women who work for you, as Andrew Cuomo has done relentlessly, is something that every leader should care about and repudiate,” said survivor-advocate Lindsey Boylan. On a more fundamental level, Cuomo’s abuse of women is a symptom of his deep abuse of every kind of power he has ever had. New York lawmakers are either against this abuse or they’re supporting it. There are only two sides here.”

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Harassment-Free New York @hfny.bsky.social · May 1

This work isn't easy—it's emotional and often painful. But it's also healing. It matters. So at a time where too many people think this kind of work doesn’t matter — we're not going anywhere.

#MeToo
#HarassmentFreeNY

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Harassment-Free New York @hfny.bsky.social · May 1

We're taking this step at a critical moment. The political pendulum has swung toward injustice, putting workers' rights and women's dignity at serious risk. But challenging times call for stronger fights, and that's exactly what we're building.

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Harassment-Free New York @hfny.bsky.social · May 1

This transition isn't just about a new name—it's about expanding our capacity to fight for a world where public servants and all workers have stronger protections against harassment & discrimination, clearer paths to justice, and real accountability for perpetrators.

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Harassment-Free New York @hfny.bsky.social · May 1

Introducing Harassment-Free New York: the next step in the Sexual Harassment Working Group’s 7-year fight for workplaces free of harassment and discrimination.

Five women standing in front of a brown paneled wall with their arms around each other smiling for the picture.

Digital flier that explains what HFNY is.

Who we are: Since 2018, the Sexual Harassment Working Group has operated as an all-volunteer workers' collective, securing multiple legislative victories and becoming a leading voice in holding powerful individuals accountable for workplace harassment and discrimination. In 2025, with workplace and gender-based violence on the rise and new political challenges to worker safety and dignity, we're taking this vital work to the next level by launching Harassment-Free New York.

What We’ve Accomplished: Organized the first public hearing on sexual harassment in NY in 27 years; Successfully advocated for New York's strengthened sexual harassment protections, including the enactment of 8 legislative bills; Helped draft the NYS Model Workplace Sexual Harassment Policy; Led the public efforts to hold current and former officials accountable

What’s Next: Harassment-Free New York will build on the success of the Sexual Harassment Working Group, with staff that can give their full attention and resources to the work. Ban non-disclosure agreements and no-rehire clauses, Extend the statute of limitations to file a harassment/discrimination lawsuit, Protect victims of harassment & abuse from defamation lawsuits, Incorporate harassment & discrimination in the NY Public Officers Law ethics code, Strengthen legislative & executive chamber harassment & discrimination policies, Support the unionization of legislative employees
Partner with survivor-justice & good government organizations in coalition spaces.

Public servants, and all workers, deserve stronger protections against harassment and discrimination, clearer paths to justice when they experience it, and tangible accountability for perpetrators.

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