Buffalo, NY (WBEN) Not just one, but there are two. Two separate independent investigations into Governor Cuomo are in the works, one for sexual harassment, the other for misreporting COVID deaths at nursing homes.
It will be no small feat to cull together both investigations and peel away the onion to expose the details that have led to serious allegations against the governor and his administration in both cases.
Attorney General Letitia James is now charged with naming an independent law firm to investigate the allegations made by three women against Cuomo. That decision has not yet been mad but is expected within days or a couple weeks.
Attorney Paul Cambria says when a firm is chosen, that firm has two very important matters to address. "First, make sure you don't have any conflict of interest, so the ultimate product is going to be beyond criticism. Secondly, you evaluate whether you have someone competent in human resources dealing with a hostile work environment," says Cambria, referring to the sexual harassment probe against Cuomo.
Cambria says the process will involve interviewing the complainant, witnesses, and the accused. "Then, it's about formulating an opinion, substantiating it, and submitting it to the attorney general," explains Cambria. He says the first tough hurdle is avoiding political influence. "Once you get past that spot, you have to evaluate the witnesses, and determine whether the evidence is credible, and free of bias or motive." He says there's plenty of opposition from both sides. "Just because it's in the political arena, it makes it more difficult to sort out," adds Cambria.
Cambria adds there's a simple reason why there are two separate firms investigating Cuomo's sexual harassment and nursing home matters. "They're two different kettles of fish, if you will," says Cambria. "From the federal standpoint, they're looking at whether false statements were made, whether there was fraud, whether there was some false instrument filed, and what impact it had on the entire process, which is vastly different than determining whether someone was in a position to have a hostile work environment."
Cuomo says he will "fully cooperate" with an investigation into the allegations being overseen by the state's independently elected attorney general. Attorney General Letitia James, also a Democrat, is in the process of selecting an outside law firm to conduct the probe and document its findings in a public report.
