“These interviews and pieces of evidence revealed a deeply disturbing yet clear picture: Gov. Cuomo harassed current and former state employees in violation of federal and state laws,” New York Attorney General Letitia James said at a press conference on Tuesday.
The investigation’s findings, detailed in a 165-page public report, turn up the pressure on the 63-year-old governor, who just a year ago was widely hailed for his steady leadership during the darkest days of the COVID-19 crisis, even writing a book about it.
Since then, he’s seen his standing crumble with a drumbeat of harassment allegations, questions in a separate, ongoing inquiry into whether state resources went into writing the book, and the discovery that his administration concealed the true number of nursing home deaths during the outbreak.
While James concluded the investigation without referring the case to prosecutors for possible criminal charges, local authorities could use its evidence and findings to mount their own cases. Albany District Attorney David Soares said he will be requesting material from James’ office and welcomed victims to contact his office with information.
The investigation’s findings are also expected to play an important role in an ongoing state Assembly inquiry into whether there are grounds to impeach Cuomo. The Assembly has hired its own legal team to investigate myriad allegations regarding harassment, his book, nursing homes and special access to COVID-19 testing.
Several Cuomo accusers demanded swifter action, calling on the governor to leave office immediately. Some Democratic and Republican state lawmakers joined them, along with one-time Cuomo allies including county executives and leaders of left-leaning political groups.
“Resign, @NYGovCuomo,” Cuomo accuser and former aide Charlotte Bennett tweeted.
Cuomo’s lawyer issued a written rebuttal to the investigation’s findings. Cuomo said he was hiring an expert to reform harassment training for state employees, including the governor.
In his taped response, Cuomo apologized to two accusers.
Still, Cuomo equivocated and lashed out at the investigative process, saying it was rife with “politics and bias.” He explained that he’s been physically embracing people his whole life, that his mother and father, former Gov. Mario Cuomo, had done the same and that the gesture was meant to “convey warmth.”
“For those who are using this moment to score political points or seek publicity or personal gain. I say they actually discredit the legitimate harassment victims that the law was designed to protect,” Cuomo said.
Cuomo faced multiple allegations last winter that he inappropriately harassed women who worked with him or who he met at public events.
In an 11-hour interview with investigators last month, Cuomo admitted to certain behavior while denying other allegations, investigators said.
The revelations last winter led to a chorus of calls for Cuomo’s resignation from many top elected Democrats in New York, including U.S. Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand.
But Cuomo refused to quit and has been raising money for a fourth term in office. His position on the allegations has also hardened. Cuomo always denied inappropriate behavior, but he initially said he was sorry if his behavior with women was “misinterpreted.” He got more combative in recent months, saying he did nothing wrong and questioning the motives of accusers and critics.
He has also questioned the neutrality of the lawyers leading the probe. Kim, was involved in previous investigations of corruption by people in Cuomo’s administration.
Cuomo championed a landmark 2019 state law that made it easier for sexual harassment victims to prove their case in court. Alleged victims no longer have to meet the high bar of proving sexual harassment is “severe and pervasive.”
(AP)
