A former nanny for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. who previously accused him of sexual assault has shared new details about the alleged incident, describing it as something that "happened so quickly."
In 1999, Eliza Cooney began working for Kennedy as a live-in nanny and assistant at his environmental law clinic. At the time, Kennedy was 46 years old, and Cooney was 23.
Cooney recalls the harassment began shortly after she started the role, with incidents ranging from inappropriate physical contact to sexual advances.
Initially, Cooney only shared the details with her mother and refrained from speaking publicly until the rise of the #MeToo movement in 2017 encouraged her to revisit the encounters.
Her allegations were detailed in a Vanity Fair interview, where she also discussed Kennedy's subsequent response: A text in which he denied memory of the incidents but offered a general apology for any discomfort caused.
"I have no memory of this incident, but I apologize sincerely for anything I ever did that made you feel uncomfortable or anything I did or said that offended you or hurt your feelings. I never intended you any harm. If I hurt you, it was inadvertent. I feel badly for doing so," the text read, according to USA Today.
As RFK Jr.'s nomination for Secretary of Health and Human Services under President Donald Trump gains national attention, the accusations have resurfaced with more details in an exclusive interview between Cooney and USA Today.
"It surprised me that it happened so quickly," Cooney told the outlet. "I'm not doing this to try to stall his nomination or upend the confirmation ... I'm just doing it for the public record."
Cooney has expressed her motivation for speaking out, highlighting the importance of transparency and encouraging other women to share their stories.
"We are not at the top of the mountain, and I can understand how people are weary and wary," Cooney said. "Because just look at what's happening now. Is it worth it? Is anything going to change? Is it hopeless? I don't think so."
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