NEW YORK (WCBS 880) – A growing number of elected officials and advocates are calling for the resignation of Gov. Andrew Cuomo following the release of a damning report on his sexual harassment allegations.
The report, released Tuesday by Attorney General Letitia James, found Cuomo had “sexually harassed multiple women and in doing so violated federal and state law," James said at a news conference.
Cuomo on Tuesday denied the allegations in the report, calling it neither a "full" nor "fair" portrayal of events.
GOVS. PHIL MURPHY, NED LAMONT, TOM WOLF, DAN MCKEE
In a joint statement released Tuesday night, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf, Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont, and Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee called on Cuomo to step down.
"We are appalled at the findings of the independent investigation by the New York Attorney General," they wrote. "Governor Cuomo should resign from office.”
MAYOR BILL DE BLASIO
Mayor Bill de Blasio said Cuomo's behavior should be "disqualifying" for public office.
“It is beyond clear that Andrew Cuomo is not fit to hold office and can no longer serve as Governor," de Blasio said. "He must resign, and if he continues to resist and attack the investigators who did their jobs, he should be impeached immediately.”
SENATE MAJORITY LEADER CHUCK SCHUMER AND SEN. KIRSTEN GILLIBRAND
New York's Senate representatives issued a joint statement calling the report an "independent, thorough and professional investigation."
"No elected official is above the law," they said. "The people of New York deserve better leadership in the governor’s office. We continue to believe that the Governor should resign.”
ANDREA STEWART-COUSINS, STATE SENATE MAJORITY LEADER
Stewart-Cousins called for Cuomo’s resignation, calling the findings of the report “unacceptable.”
“Now that the investigation is complete and the allegations have been substantiated, it should be clear to everyone that he can no longer serve as Governor,” Stewart-Cousins said.
CARL HEASTIE, ASSEMBLY SPEAKER
Speaker Heastie promised to swiftly conclude the Assembly's impeachment investigation into Cuomo, adding the governor has "lost the confidence of the Assembly Democratic majority and that he can no longer remain in office."
"Once we receive all relevant documents and evidence from the Attorney General, we will move expeditiously and look to conclude our impeachment investigation as quickly as possible," Heastie said.
ERIC ADAMS, BROOKLYN BOROUGH PRESIDENT AND DEMOCRATIC MAYORAL NOMINEE
Adams put the onus on the state Assembly to proceed with an impeachment process.
“It is now the duty of the New York State Assembly to take swift and appropriate action and move forward with impeachment proceedings if the Governor will not resign," Adams said.
CONGRESSMEN TOM SUOZZI, HAKEEM JEFFIRES AND GREGORY MEEKS
The trio of New York congressmen issued a joint statement calling the AG report a "complete, thorough and professional investigation."
"We commend the brave women who came forward and spoke truth to power, the congressional representatives said. "The time has come for Governor Andrew Cuomo to do the right thing for the people of New York State and resign.”
CONGRESSMAN RITCHIE TORRES
Torres, who represents the Bronx, in an interview with WCBS 880's Lynda Lopez said the findings of the report were "deeply disturbing."
"Violations of the law by those in charge with enforcing it to me is a betrayal of the public trust," Torres said. "I called on the governor to resign several months ago and I renew my call for his resignation."
KATHY HOCHUL, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
Hochul broke from Cuomo Tuesday, saying the investigation "has documented repulsive and unlawful behavior by the Governor towards multiple women."
"No one is above the law. Under the New York Constitution, the Assembly will now determine the next steps," Hochul said. "Because Lieutenant Governors stand next in the line of succession, it would not be appropriate to comment further on the process at this moment."
JUMAANE WILLIAMS, NEW YORK CITY PUBLIC ADVOCATE
"[Cuomo] created a culture of abuse which he has long employed to evade accountability, but the creation of that culture itself demands accountability," Williams said in a statement. "He cannot continue to serve as Governor, and must resign immediately or be impeached expeditiously."
BRAD LANDER, BROOKLYN COUNCILMAN AND CITY COMPTROLLER CANDIDATE
“Governor Cuomo should have resigned in March. He should resign now,” Lander said in a statement, referencing the month when allegations against the governor were widely publicized. “If he does not, he should be impeached. If he is not, he should be defeated at the polls.”
MICHAEL GIANARIS, SENATE DEPUTY LEADER
"Andrew Cuomo lacks the integrity required to be the leader of our state and can no longer serve as New York’s Governor," Gianaris said. "He must heed the calls of so many New York leaders and resign.”
TOM DINAPOLI, STATE COMPTROLLER
"The Attorney General's report documents unacceptable workplace behavior in the Executive Chamber at the highest level of state leadership," DiNapoli said. "The women who came forward are courageous, and they have been heard. As I stated months ago, the Governor should step down."
NICK LANGWORTHY, NYGOP CHAIRMAN
"If [Cuomo] does not immediately resign, Speaker Carl Heastie must call for a special session to bring articles of impeachment to the floor for an up or down vote," Langworthy said. "Democrats in Albany have been protecting him for too long--time is up.”
CURTIS SLIWA, GOP MAYORAL CANDIDATE
"I mean, if this isn't a statement of why Cuomo must go, I don't know what is," Sliwa said. "When applied to republicans and democrats who have faced similar charges, they have either gracefully retired...or they have been prosecuted to the full extent of the law."