NY assembly authorizes Cuomo’s impeachment probe

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• The New York state assembly instructs the state’s judiciary committee to conduct an impeachment investigation against Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D).
• Cuomo has been accused by six women who were mostly his former aides.
• Many state leaders and officials have called on Cuomo to step down amid his sexual misconduct allegations.

Amid New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s sexual harassment claims brought by several women, the New York state assembly has mandated its judiciary committee to launch an “impeachment investigation” on him.

According to Carl Heastie, the state assembly’s speaker, the panel investigation would run simultaneously with state attorney general Letitia James’ investigation. The probing would include interviewing witnesses, review of subpoena documents, and analyzing pieces of evidence.

“The reports of accusations concerning the governor are serious,” he said in a statement.

Last weekend, Heastie said that Cuomo should “seriously consider whether he can effectively meet the needs of the people of New York.” He noted that he opted to start the inquiry after a meeting with the Democrat-led assembly.

The 63-year-old governor has strongly denied all the accusations made against him. Most of the claims were brought by his former aides.

The latest allegation came from an unnamed ex-official who claimed that Cuomo touched her after summoning her to the executive mansion last year. The accuser said it in an interview with the Times-Union newspaper on Tuesday.

In response, Cuomo rebuked the allegation, arguing that he had “never done anything” like that as he described the information as “gut-wrenching.”

Calls for Cuomo’s resignation have been growing since the controversy emerged. Local New York leaders, which include Mayor Bill de Blasio (D), said on Thursday that Cuomo “just can’t serve as governor anymore.”

A staunch critic of the governor, De Blasio said that the recent allegation was disgusting.

“The specific allegation that the governor called an employee of his, someone who he had power over, called them to a private place and then sexually assaulted her, it’s absolutely unacceptable,” De Blasio told reporters. “It is disgusting to me, and he can no longer serve as governor.”

Last weekend, the state’s senate majority leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins asked Cuomo to step down. She said that the governor’s work ethic enabled a “toxic work environment” as his sexual misconduct scandal negatively impacts his leadership.

Over 55 Democratic New York legislators also called for Cuomo’s resignation in an issued letter on Thursday.

“As legislators and as New Yorkers we all must decide what is best for the future of New York state,” the letter wrote, which was posted by South Bronx Democratic assemblywoman Amanda Septimo.

“Enough is enough,” Septimo wrote.

Last week, Cuomo made his first apology address for his unnecessary demeanor, but he remained firm that he never touched anyone “inappropriately.”

Source: The Guardian