NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- New York speaker Carl Heastie on Thursday released a statement authorizing a committee to begin an impeachment investigation into Gov. Andrew Cuomo amid the multiple accusations of harassment.
"After meeting with the Assembly Majority Conference today, I am authorizing the Assembly Judiciary Committee to begin an impeachment investigation, led by Chair Charles D. Lavine, to examine allegations of misconduct against Governor Cuomo. The reports of accusations concerning the governor are serious. The committee will have the authority to interview witnesses, subpoena documents and evaluate evidence, as is allowed by the New York State Constitution. I have the utmost faith that Assemblymember Lavine and the members of the committee will conduct an expeditious, full and thorough investigation. This inquiry will not interfere with the independent investigation being conducted by Attorney General James."
As part of an "expeditious, full and thorough investigation," Heastie said the Assembly Judiciary Committee will have subpoena power, conduct interviews and review documents.
"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," the lawmakers' letter said. "It is time for Governor Cuomo to resign."
Heastie said the committee's inquiry will not interfere with the investigation launched by the state Attorney General Letitia James.
James later released a statement confirming that the independent investigation her office is overseeing into allegations of sexual harassment against Gov. Cuomo will continue regardless of the actions by the New York state legislature:
"Today's action by the New York state legislature will have no bearing on our independent investigation into these allegations against Governor Cuomo. Our investigation will continue."
The Assembly's impeachment investigation comes on the heels of 59 Senate and Assembly Democrats that released a joint letter calling for Cuomo's immediate resignation, saying that "he has lost the confidence of the public and the state legislature."
Cuomo has denied the allegations.
"I have never done anything like this," Cuomo previously said. "The details of this report are gut-wrenching."
