'New York, don't let this become our brand': Cuomo's 'NY Tough' slogan changed to 'NY Touch' on skyscraper as governor faces multiple allegations of sexual harassment, groping
New York governor Andrew Cuomo's 'NY Tough' slogan received a slight touch-up on Friday night.
A light display on an Albany skyscraper that usually reads 'NY Tough' was changed to 'NY Touch,' leading many to wonder if it was done on purpose to mock the governor, who faces multiple allegations of sexual harassment and groping.
Trishna Begam of News10 noticed the change to the lights of Corning Tower around 8pm.
'A different message tonight on the Corning Tower in Albany as seen from the News10 parking lot around 8pm,' Begam posted, along with a photo of the 'g' altered to a 'c' to spell 'NY Touch' on the tower in lights, according to the New York Post.
Begam followed up shortly afterwards, noting that the lights were changed back to the original message by 8:24pm.
Former Cuomo aide Lindsay Boylan, 36, who was the first to accuse the governor of harassment, referenced the light display in a tweet Saturday.
'New York, don't let this become our brand', Boylan wrote.
Josh Koppel tweeted about the change to the Corning Tower lights display on Friday
Josh Koppel in Albany was also able to grab a couple of snaps of the message alteration on the tower.
'Not a great look for Cuomo right now,' Koppel tweeted.
It's not clear who changed the message on the Corning Tower, which has been consistently showing 'NY Tough' since April 2020, or if the act was intentional or a mere typo.
The 'NY Tough' slogan began to emerge over the spring as New York dealt with the rapidly expanding coronavirus pandemic.
For the first few months of the crisis, Cuomo was seen as a shining light in leading New York to initially flatten the curve of cases.
But a different light has been cast, as he's mired in a scandal involving the undercount of nursing home deaths related to COVID-19.
Typically, the Corning Tower shows 'NY Tough' (Pic: Josh Koppel)
Additionally, Cuomo has faced a number of allegations of sexual harassment and groping, though he has steadfastly refuted the accusations.
At least one woman accused Cuomo of groping her in the Governor's Mansion, an allegation sent to New York's attorney general, Letitia James.
James is in charge of an inquiry into the sexual harassment claims, with several accusers already speaking to investigators.
The State Assembly is also investigating the claims, along with investigating the nursing home scandal in an impeachment inquiry.
The New York Times reports that many Democratic leaders in the state have called for Cuomo's resignation in light of the multiple scandals.
Among those who have called for his resignation are Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer, as well as New York City mayor Bill de Blasio.
Cuomo has refused to do so and has asked citizens to hold on until the investigations run their course.
Andrew Cuomo is facing a slew of sexual harassment allegations that are being investigated
Cuomo has denied wrongdoing and has refused to resign (pictured on Tuesday)
President Joe Biden, meanwhile, has expressed support for an independent investigation into Cuomo.
The allegations began pouring out in February when former aide Lindsay Boylan, 36, accused Cuomo of harassment in a Medium post.
She alleged Cuomo asked her to play strip poker and kissed her on the lips without consent.
Boylan referenced the 'NY Touch' light display in a tweet Saturday in which she said 'New York, don't let this become our brand'.
Charlotte Bennett, 25, was next to make accusations, saying Cuomo was 'grooming' her and asking inappropriate questions.
There have also been allegations that people in Cuomo's circle created a letter designed to smear Boylan after her accusations, though the letter was never released.
In total, at least nine women have levied accusations against Cuomo so far.
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