Andrew Cuomo: Pressure rises after New York Assembly speaker investigates OK’s accusation

Andrew Cuomo: Pressure rises after New York Assembly speaker investigates OK’s accusation

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For Cuomo, who is under fire for allegations of sexual harassment and his handling of deaths in nursing homes, the development is the most serious sign so far that his support within his own party is rapidly eroding after a decade of domination of the state’s political scene. .

State House Speaker Carl Heastie made the decision after meeting with the Assembly’s Majority Conference, a meeting he announced earlier Thursday.

The committee, chaired by Democratic Assemblyman Charles Lavine, is authorized to summon documents, question witnesses and evaluate evidence, the statement said.

“The reports of allegations concerning the governor are serious,” Heastie said.

Heastie said he has the greatest faith that Lavine and the committee will conduct a “quick” investigation.

CNN reached out to the offices of Cuomo, Lavine and Lieutenant Government Kathy Hochul for comment.

New York Attorney General Letitia James said in a statement that the actions of the Assembly would “have no bearing” on her investigation.

An appeal to Cuomo to resign

Cuomo dismissed and rejected questions about data on nursing homes during daily press conferences this past spring.

Earlier Thursday, more than 50 Democratic lawmakers called for Cuomo to resign, arguing that he “has lost public confidence” and is “ineffective in this time of dire need.”

“In light of the Governor’s recognition of inappropriate behavior and the findings of amended data on deaths in the old age home COVID-19, he lost the trust of the public and the legislature, which made him ineffective in this time of most urgency. need, “the group said. of 59 Democrats serving in the Senate and New York Assembly write in a letter released Thursday.

The letter boils down to the biggest public pressure the Democratic governor of New York has had from his own party to step down. Jay Jacobs, the Democratic chairman of the state of New York, called for the allegations to be investigated by the legislature. He acknowledges the calls of some Democrats to resign Cuomo, but refuses to do so himself, but says he will convene a meeting of the provincial chairmen to hear their opinion.

In their letter, lawmakers acknowledge that James’ independent civil investigation into the governor’s behavior should continue, but that they can no longer wait until it is completed.

“Meanwhile, the governor must put the people of New York first. We have a lieutenant governor who can step in and lead for the rest of the term, and that is best for New Yorkers at this critical time,” they argue.

“It’s time for Governor Cuomo to resign,” they added.

Cuomo said Sunday he would not resign and has repeatedly denied touching anyone improperly.

The signatories of the letter include 19 state legislators and 40 members of the state assembly, including Democratic MP Ron Kim who last month claimed Cuomo was threatening him and his career.

They add the top Democrat in the state Senate, Andrea Stewart-Cousins, leader of the majority of the Senate, who said on Sunday “to resign in favor of state governor Cuomo.”

Read: Democratic lawmakers in New York state call for Cuomo to resign
Last week, a handful of Democratic lawmakers and U.S. Democratic Rep. Kathleen Rice of New York demanded that Cuomo step down following the growing allegations. Since then, as two more women have emerged, the list of New York Democrats is increasing that he should be expelled.

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio also said Thursday that Cuomo “just can no longer serve as governor.” Democrats serving at the national level are much more muted in their responses, with White House press secretary Jen Psaki saying this week: ‘all women should be heard’, but did not want to condemn Cuomo over the allegations and referred to the ongoing investigation.

In a tweet on Sunday, Heastie described the allegations against Cuomo as “deeply disturbing” and said: “I think it’s time for the governor to seriously consider whether he can provide for the needs of New Yorkers.”

Various controversies

Cuomo faces increasing Democratic setbacks as leading lawmakers in New York state ask for resignation
According to a report by the Attorney General’s, Cuomo’s administration reported on the number of deaths among Covid among long-term patients in New York and then delayed sharing the potentially harmful information with state lawmakers.

Until the end of January, long-term caregivers who died from Covid-19 were classified as dead within a facility. Those who died after being transferred to a hospital were not included in the specific figure. The total number of Covid deaths in New York remained the same, but the practice led to a dramatic misrepresentation of the actual toll in New York’s long-term care facilities.

Cuomo and his administration defended their decision, arguing that the federal investigation, as well as New York state lawmakers, asked questions, that the federal investigation had become their priority. The governor did not deny any wrongdoing.

Amid criticism of his handling of deaths in nursing homes, Cuomo also faces accusations from several women of sexual harassment or inappropriate behavior.

The firestorm, which has consumed New York politics for the past two weeks, began on February 24, when former assistant Lindsey Boylan claimed in a media post that Cuomo had kissed her on the lips against her will in 2018 after ‘ a brief, one-on-one meeting in his New York office.
Last week, Cuomo apologized to the women, saying he never knew he was “making anyone feel uncomfortable” and denies touching anyone improperly. He declined calls for his resignation.

CNN’s Gregory Krieg and Kristina Sgueglia contributed to this report.

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