Democrats Open Impeachment Inquiry Against Cuomo Amid Controversy

LONG ISLAND, NY — The New York State Assembly opened an impeachment inquiry against Gov. Andrew Cuomo Thursday after a string of sexual harassment claims and an ongoing controversy over nursing home deaths have left many questioning his ability to govern.

According to the New York Times, the Assembly granted its judiciary committee the ability to investigate both sexual harassment claims and the issue of nursing home deaths — and what unfolds could be the state's first impeachment in more than 100 years.

Cuomo's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Long Island lawmakers weighed in on the news. “The harrowing and detailed accounts of pervasive sexual harassment and assault at the hands of Governor Cuomo depict egregious abuses of power that have no place in any work environment, especially not in the highest office of the New York State government," State Assemb. Fred Thiele said."Further, allegations regarding the cover-up of nursing home deaths and a possible cover-up relating to safety concerns regarding the Mario Cuomo Bridge also raise issues of abuse of power."

Thiele said he supported Speaker Carl Heastie’s referral to the Assembly judiciary committee to initiate an investigation regarding impeachment.

Attorney General Letitia James has commenced an investigation into the sexual harassment investigations.

"This inquiry must be completed thoroughly and expeditiously, in cooperation with the investigation being conducted under the capable authority of the Attorney General, as well as other pending inquiries. The brave women that continue to come forward must be given every opportunity to be heard and supported," Thiele said. "Should the findings of the Assembly investigation confirm the allegations or indicate that the governor abused his power, he must be removed from office and face the fullest consequences for his actions.”

Earlier this week, Assemb. Keith Brown discussed the assembly minority conference's intention to introduce an impeachment resolution: "This is serious, not since Governor William Sulzer was impeached in 1913 has our state been faced with a situation like this. When the governor exhibits the level of 'willful and corrupt misconduct' that Governor Cuomo has, we are left no choice."

Rep. Lee Zeldin commented after a sixth accusation of sexual harassment was reported by the Albany Times Union. Cuomo, the post said, was accused of having "aggressively groped" the woman, who was not named, after she was reportedly called to the Executive Mansion to help him with a cell phone and he "closed the door and allegedly reached under her blouse and began to fondle her," according to a source who was said to have had "direct knowledge" of the woman's claims.

Cuomo denied the accusation in a statement, the Albany Times Union said: "I have never done anything like this," he said. "The details of this report are gut-wrenching."

He has said that he will not resign and is waiting for the facts to be determined after the attorney general's investigation.

“There is no other way to say it; Andrew Cuomo is a national embarrassment," Zeldin said. "There are now at least six women who have stepped forward to allege that they have been victimized by Cuomo, and no one would be the least surprised if more accusations come to light."

Zeldin added: "Cuomo’s pattern of abusing his power for his own twisted needs is inexcusable, unforgivable, and should be his everlasting legacy. For every woman he has sexually harassed, every person he has bullied, and every senior citizen death he has covered up, we must all work to hold Cuomo accountable and remove the stain he has put on the governor’s office."

Cuomo urged New York residents to "hold Cuomo accountable" and sign a petition.

On Thursday, more than 55 New York Democrat lawmakers called for Cuomo's resignation and for Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul to step in. "It is time for Governor Cuomo to resign," they said in a statement.

Cuomo, speaking on new accusations of sexual harassment by two additional women, said on Sunday that he will not resign and he will not be "distracted" by the allegations while the attorney general is reviewing the facts.

According to the New York Post, two additional aides came forward Saturday: Former press aide Karen Hinton accused Cuomo of a "very long, too long, too tight, too intimate" embrace in a hotel room in 2000, when Cuomo headed up the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Ana Liss, an aide from 2013 to 2015, reported that Cuomo called her "sweetheart," asked if she had a boyfriend, touched her on her lower back at a reception, and kissed her hand while she was rising from her desk, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal.

During a press call Sunday, Cuomo said some legislators are suggesting he resign "because of accusations made against me."

Cuomo said resigning because of allegations is "anti-democratic. We've always done the exact opposite; the system is based on due process. Anyone has the ability to make accusations but it's the credibility of the allegations."

Cuomo said normally such accusations are private. "It's damaging to publicize allegations before you know that the story is credible," he said, adding that the attorney general's office will commence the independent review of the accusations and ensure due process. "Because that's democracy. So, no, there is no way I resign," he said.

The attorney general will issue findings and then, "we will go from there," Cuomo said.

Cuomo said he was elected by the people and there is much work to be done with a state budget due in three weeks. "This is not about me and accusations about me — the attorney general can handle that. This is about doing the people's business," Cuomo said.

When asked about lawmakers in his own party calling for his resignation, Cuomo said: "I have a newsflash for you: There is politics in politics."

Cuomo added that, with much work to be done: "I am not going to get distracted by this. It is all irrelevant" until the AG's report is issued and facts are reviewed, he said.

Cuomo also said while all women have a right to come forward, Hinton has been "a longtime political adversary of mine, highly critical for many, many years."

Of Liss' accusations, Cuomo said he takes photos at hundreds of events, but he never meant to make "anyone feel uncomfortable in any way. If customs change, I'll change my customs and behavior."

Last week, a subdued Cuomo apologized after a third woman accused him of sexual harassment this week — but said he will not resign.

"I now fully understand that I acted in a way that made people uncomfortable," Cuomo said during his first news briefing since the accusations were made public. "It was unintentional and I truly and deeply apologize for it. I feel awful about it and frankly, I am embarrassed by it. That's not easy to say, and that's the truth.

"I never touched anyone inappropriately ... I never knew at the time that I was making anyone feel uncomfortable and I certainly never, ever meant to offend or hurt anyone or cause anyone pain. That is the last thing I would ever want to do."

According to CNBC, lawmakers signed a bill Friday to "significantly" strip Cuomo of his coronavirus emergency powers.

Cuomo said he will "fully cooperate" with an investigation into the sexual harassment claims by state James.

The third woman — Anna Ruch, 33 — told The New York Times she met Cuomo at a 2019 wedding and he placed his hand on her lower back. Ruch told The Times she immediately took Cuomo's hand away, prompting the governor to call her "aggressive" and place his hands on her cheeks.

"He said, 'Can I kiss you?'" Ruch said, according to The Times. "I felt so uncomfortable and embarrassed when really he is the one who should have been embarrassed."

The exchange was captured in a photo included in a Times story.

Cuomo said there are hundreds of photos of him touching women, men, and children in a similar way and that kissing and hugging are his "usual and customary way of greeting."

"It was my father's way of greeting," he said. "You want people to feel comfortable, to reach out to them."

He said if people were offended and "felt pain from it, then it was wrong and I apologize."

Ruch's account followed sexual harassment claims by former Cuomo aides Lindsey Boylan and Charlotte Bennett.