NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- Mayor Bill de Blasio and nearly 60 Assembly and Senate Democrats on Thursday called on Gov. Andrew Cuomo to step down after a female aide reportedly claimed he groped her late last year.
At a news briefing Thursday morning, de Blasio called the allegations Cuomo is facing "disgusting," adding that he "can no longer serve as governor."
"The latest report and the fact that we can talk about how many people are bringing forward accusations, that it's not one, it's not two, it's not three, it's not four, it's not five, it's six women who have come forward, it's deeply troubling," the mayor said.
"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 is absolutely unacceptable," he added. "These six women who have come forward, with such powerful painful stories, and particularly this most recent report, it's just disqualifying. He just can't serve as governor anymore."
De Blasio's remarks came shortly after more than 55 New York state legislators released a joint statement calling on the governor to resign.
"In light of the governor's admission of inappropriate behavior and the findings of altered data on nursing home COVID-19 deaths, he has lost the confidence of the public and the state legislature, rendering him ineffective in this time of most urgent need," they wrote.
Lieutenant Gov. Kathy Hochul, they added, should "step in and lead for the remainder of the term."
The Times Union of Albany reported Wednesday that an unidentified aide had claimed Cuomo reached under her shirt and fondled her after summoning her to his official residence. Cuomo has denied the allegation.
"As I said yesterday, I have never done anything like this. The details of this report are gut-wrenching," he said in a statement. "I am not going to speak to the specifics of this or any other allegation given the ongoing review, but I am confident in the result of the attorney general's report."
The letter released by the group comes as Cuomo's grip on power in the state seemed increasingly tenuous. The top Democrat in the state Assembly, Speaker Carl Heastie, said he will meet with members in conference today on "potential paths forward'' in light of mounting allegations.
In New York, the Assembly is the legislative house that could move to impeach Cuomo, who has faced multiple allegations that he made the workplace an uncomfortable place for young women with sexually suggestive behavior, to unwanted touching and a kiss.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
