The report released yesterday from New York’s Attorney General finds Governor Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed at least 11 women, some of them former and current state employees. He also allegedly retaliated against a former employee who complained publicly about his conduct. Attorney General Letitia James held a press conference yesterday with independent investigators Anne Clark and Joon Kim, and they concluded that Cuomo “sexually harassed multiple women, and in doing so violated federal and state law”…
There were no specific penalties or charges stemming from the 168-page report. 179 witnesses were interviewed, including the governor.
In response, Cuomo said the facts are different than they are being portrayed. Cuomo denied touching anyone inappropriately and called the investigation the result of political attacks…
Cuomo claimed he’s gone through a similar experience in his family and was trying to be helpful to one of his accusers, and admittedly, he failed. He also said he never groped anyone in his home office as one of the victims described. Cuomo continues to refuse to step down from office.
Condemnation was swift from both sides of the political aisle. Rockland Assemblyman, Republican Mike Lawler, called the AG’s report conclusive and damning…
Lawler says the matter should criminally prosecuted. Rockland Assemblyman, Democrat Ken Zebrowski, a member of the Judiciary Committee, called the details “repugnant.” Stony Point and Orange County Assemblyman, Republican Colin Schmitt, called the report’s details “heartbreaking and disturbing,” and said Cuomo should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, and called upon him to immediately resign. North Rockland State Senator, Democrat James Skoufis, renewed his call for the governor to step down, and said there was nothing political about the investigation…
Other leading Democrats all said the governor should step down. New York Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie has yet to announce any plans for impeachment proceedings, though the Assembly’s inquiry continues, and he did say he’d look to wrap that up as quickly as possible. New York State Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul said sexual harassment is unacceptable in any workplace, and the AG’s investigation documented repulsive and unlawful behavior by the Governor. New York’s junior U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand called the report “deeply, deeply disturbing” and in a joint statement with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, called on the governor to resign. In a statement, Rockland Congressman Mondaire Jones said the governor is unfit to continue leading New York State, and urged him to resign. And President Joe Biden, who’s been criticized for his behavior at times, said Cuomo should resign, adding, quote, “I’m sure there were some embraces that are totally innocent. But apparently, the attorney general decided there were things that weren’t.”
Cuomo also still faces investigations into the nursing home scandal and his book deal during the height of the COVID pandemic.