POLITCO reported Tuesday that State Attorney General Leticia James in a news conference this morning said she found
all 11 women accusing the Governor of sexually harrassing incidents towards them “credible.” She announced the ivestigators’ report found Governor Andrew Cuomo engaged in “inappropriate touching,” and “offensive and sexual” comments .
“I am inspired by all the brave women who came forward, but more importantly, I believe them, and I thank them for their bravery, ” the Attorney General said.
Governor Cuomo denied the incidents again in a news conference this afternoon, saying these will be “settled in a court of law.” He said he would not resign at this time.
State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins issued this statement:
“This report highlights unacceptable behavior by Governor Cuomo and his administration. As I said when these disturbing allegations first came to light, the Governor must resign for the good of the state. Now that the investigation is complete and the allegations have been sustained, it should be clear to everyone that he can no longer serve as Governor,”
Assemblyman Chris Burdick of the 93rd Assembly District also called for the Governor’s resignation moments ago
“The Attorney General’s report, following a thorough and impartial review by independent investigators of the allegations against Governor Cuomo, determined that he sexually harassed multiple women, violating state and federal laws. These findings are both credible and disturbing. Such behavior would be inappropriate for anyone, but that it was committed by the state’s Chief Executive makes it absolutely inexcusable. I commend all those who came forward to share their stories, and I applaud them for their bravery. No one should be subjected to a culture of harassment, toxicity and retaliation. The Governor must resign immediately.
If the Governor refuses to resign, as a member of the Assembly I call on the Assembly Judiciary Committee to immediately introduce articles of impeachment and for the full Assembly to adopt them.”
Westchester County Executive George Latimer issued this statement: “The Attorney General’s findings are clear and compelling. The Governor must resign. The patterns of sexually harassing, intimidating and inappropriate behavior towards women cannot be tolerated.”
The Westchester County Board of Legislators issued this statement:
“The conclusion of independent investigators, as described in the report released Tuesday by Attorney General Letitia James, that “the Governor engaged in conduct constituting sexual harassment under federal and New York State law,” makes it untenable for him to remain in the position of the highest authority in New York.
We cannot tolerate sexual harassment, intimidation and retaliation in any workplace, let alone in the State’s Executive Chamber. We call on Governor Cuomo to resign immediately, and if necessary, for the State Legislature to take appropriate action; and we commend the women who came forward to speak with investigators for their courage.”
The New York Congressional Delegation, Senators Gillebrand and Schumer and Congressman Mondaire Jones followed up on their March reaction to the charges and now the finding:
“As we have said before, the reported actions of the Governor were profoundly disturbing, inappropriate and completely unacceptable. Today’s report from the New York State Attorney General substantiated and corroborated the allegations of the brave women who came forward to share their stories — and we commend the women for doing so.
“The New York State Attorney General has conducted an independent, thorough and professional investigation that found the Governor violated state and federal law, had a pattern of sexually harassing current and former employees, retaliated against at least one of the accusers and created a hostile work environment.
“No elected official is above the law. The people of New York deserve better leadership in the governor’s office. We continue to believe that the Governor should resign.”
Congressman Mondaire Jones of the Congressional District 17 interviewed on CNN issued this statement:
New York State Attorney General Tish James’ report that found Governor Cuomo sexually harassed current and former New York State employees and violated state and federal law, Congressman Mondaire Jones (D-NY) reiterated his call for the Governor to resign in an interview on CNN’s Inside Politics with John King.
The full interview can be found here.
In another development yesterday, Hezi Aris, Editor of The Yonkers Tribune reported that James has closed her investigation, saying it is up to the courts and the state legislature to decide how to move forward. He also suggests the political landscape has been turned upside down and that Hillary Clinton has become the front runner for governor in certain circles. Here is his analysis (reprinted with permission):
Attorney General Letitia James has released a long-awaited report outlining her office’s investigation into allegations of sexual harassment and assault against Gov. Andrew Cuomo. The report under the aegis of attorneys Anne Clark and Joon Kim confirmed the accounts by women who had already come forward and included new information and accounts from additional women, including a state trooper in Cuomo’s protective detail.
James advised that investigators Clark and Kim had interviewed 179 people, 11 complainants and reviewed 74,000 pieces of evidence, including audio files, documents, images and texts.
James office advised the conclusion of the investigation concluded the investigation. She said it is now up to local prosecutors, police departments, as well as legislators to determine future conduct and ramifications gathered.
James said, “I am inspired by all the brave women who came forward, more importantly I believe them.”
Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, has previously called for Cuomo to step down. “The Governor must resign for the good of the state,” concluded Stewart-Cousins.
Read the NYS Attorney General’s Report
NYS AG James is expected to be pushed out of the running (for governor) eclipsed by none other than former First Lady Hillary Clinton, diminishing the prospects for Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano’s game plan because he was contemplating a run for NYS Lieutenant Governor under Letitia James. James’ prospects are unlikely with the prowess of Clinton climbing to the forefront.
NYS Republican Gubernatorial candidate Rob Astorino is likely to evaporate because of Hillary Clinton’s climb to the top eclipsing all other by name recognition and financial capacity.
