ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — A majority of New York state legislators are demanding Gov. Andrew Cuomo's resignation in the wake of an allegation that he groped an aide at the Executive Mansion last year.
At least 121 members of the state Assembly and Senate have said publicly they believe Cuomo can no longer govern and should quit office now, according to a tally by The Associated Press. The count includes 65 Democrats and 56 Republicans.
Cuomo's support in the state Senate was especially thin. Roughly two thirds of its members have called for the Democrat's resignation, including Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins.
Thursday began with a warning shot from the top Democrat in the state Assembly, Speaker Carl Heastie, who said, "In light of the allegations concerning the governor over the last several weeks, I will be meeting with members in conference today on potential paths forward."
By the end of the day, Heastie had backed a plan for its judiciary committee to launch an impeachment investigation with the authority to interview witnesses, subpoena documents and evaluate evidence.
Heastie said the investigation will be led by Chair Charles D. Lavine to examine allegations of misconduct against Cuomo.
"The reports of accusations concerning the governor are serious," Heastie said. "I have the utmost faith that Assemblymember Lavine and the members of the committee will conduct an expeditious, full and thorough investigation."
John Kaehny of the watchdog group Reinvent Albany called it a "shrewd move" by Heastie.
"The investigation allows him to point to something that he's doing to satisfy both critics of the governor and supporters of the governor," he said.
Heastie said his investigation won't interfere with a parallel investigation being conducted by the state attorney general's office.
The committee's inquiry could be wide-ranging: from alleged sexual misconduct to COVID-19 outbreaks at nursing homes, according to committee member Tom Abinanti.
“The legislature needs to determine for itself what the facts are," Abinanti said. “For the people who want immediate impeachment, I think we say please be patient. The process is slow. This could be the next step."
Related
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.
At least five accusers — Charlotte Bennett, Lindsey Boylan, Ana Liss, Karen Hinton and the latest one — worked for the governor in Albany or during his time in President Bill Clinton's Cabinet. Another, Anna Ruch, told The New York Times that she met Cuomo at a friend's wedding.
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. A lawyer for the governor said Thursday that she reported the allegation to police after the woman involved declined to do so herself
A group of 59 Democratic state legislators, including 19 senators and 40 Assembly members said in a letter Thursday that it was time for Cuomo to go.
"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 letter said. "It is time for Governor Cuomo to resign.''
The state Assembly has 150 members. It could convene an impeachment trial against Cuomo with a simple majority vote. Until the new allegations surfaced, most of its members appeared to be leaning against trying to convene an impeachment or demanding Cuomo's resignation until the attorney general's investigation was complete.
The state Senate, which would join with members of the state's top appeals court to hold an impeachment trial, has 63 members.
Mayor Bill de Blasio during his daily briefing Thursday said he believes that Cuomo can no longer serve as governor.
"The latest report and the fact that we can talk about how many people are bringing forward accusations — and 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 — is deeply troubling," de Blasio said Thursday. "This 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. It is disgusting to me and he can no longer serve as governor. It's as simple as that."
Cuomo has repeatedly said he won't resign and urged the public to await the outcome of an investigation by state Attorney General Letitia James into his conduct. Cuomo's office didn't immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday.
Cuomo has denied inappropriately touching anyone, but said he is sorry if he made anyone uncomfortable and didn't intend to do so.
The Times Union of Albany reported that the governor had summoned the aide to the Executive Mansion in Albany last year, saying he needed help with his cellphone.
The aide, whom it did not name, was alone with Cuomo when he closed the door, reached under her shirt and fondled her, the newspaper reported. The newspaper's reporting is based on an unidentified source with direct knowledge of the woman's accusation.
"I have never done anything like this,'' Cuomo said through a spokesperson Wednesday evening.
"The details of this report are gut-wrenching,'' Cuomo said, adding that he would not speak to the specifics of this or any other allegation, given an ongoing investigation overseen by the state attorney general.
A lawyer for the governor confirmed she had reported the groping allegation to local police.
LISTEN NOW on the RADIO.COM App
Follow WCBS Newsradio 880
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram