ALBANY, NY (AP) – New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has asked State Attorney General and Chief Justice of the Court of Appeal to jointly appoint an independent attorney to investigate allegations that he had at least two women working for him. sexually harassed.
It was unclear whether the proposal would appease legislative leaders and other top Democrats, who would embark on Cuomo’s initial plan to appoint a retired federal judge, to review his behavior in the workplace.
“The governor’s office wants the claims of sexual harassment against the governor to be done in an impeccable manner,” Beth Garvey, the council’s special adviser, said. “We have elected former federal judge Barbara Jones, with an excellent record for qualifications and integrity, but we even want to avoid the perception of a lack of independence or distraction from politics.”
Garvey said the government of the Democratic governor had asked Attorney General Letitia James and Janet DiFiore, Chief Justice of the Court of Appeal, to jointly elect an independent and qualified attorney in private practice without political affiliation to thoroughly investigate the case and a public report. ”
Garvey said the report will only be reviewed by the attorney doing the review.
The government’s proposal comes almost simultaneously with a statement from James calling on Cuomo to issue an executive order placing her in exclusive control of the investigation. She said such a reference would provide an opportunity to issue summonses that are enforceable in court.
“There needs to be a real independent investigation to thoroughly review these disturbing allegations against the governor, and I’m ready to oversee the investigation and make the necessary appointments,” James said. “I urge the Governor to make this reference immediately.”
The plan that James and DiFiore, appointed by Cuomo in her post, would jointly select an investigator came in a cascade of criticism from fellow Democrats who asked him to relinquish all control of the investigation to James .
Under state law, the Attorney General needs a referral from the governor to investigate his conduct.
A spokesman for James said Cuomo’s idea of merely giving her a role in choosing the investigating officer was unacceptable because the investigator did not have the ability to sue witnesses and documents and had to rely on voluntary cooperation.
State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, the leader of the Senate majority and a Democrat from suburban Westchester County, said through her spokeswoman: “We support the AG and her call to refer.”
The crisis now enveloping Cuomo’s office developed rapidly after a second woman became known on Saturday with a story about her being harassed by the governor in the workplace.
Charlotte Bennett, a low-level assistant to the governor’s government until November, told The New York Times Cuomo asked her inappropriate questions about her sex life, including whether she’s ever had sex with older men.
Her accusation comes days after another former assistant, Lindsey Boylan, a former deputy secretary for economic development and special adviser to the governor, elaborated on the harassment she first made in December. Boylan said Cuomo subjected her to an unwanted kiss and inappropriate remarks.
Cuomo, 63, said in a statement on Saturday that he intended to be a mentor to Bennett, 25. He denied Boylan’s allegations.
A group of more than a dozen Democratic women in the state assembly said in a statement: “The governor’s proposal to appoint someone who is not independently elected has no subpoena authority and no prosecuting authority is insufficient. ‘
Senator Brad Hoylman, a Democrat from Manhattan, said on Twitter: ‘As chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I think it’s completely inappropriate for Chief Justice DiFiore – who was appointed by the governor and who would have a constitutional role in possible future proceedings – – to be part of the investigation process. ”
Sen. Todd Kaminsky, a Democrat from Long Island, tweeted: ‘The Attorney General of NY does not need to have a referral to start a criminal investigation. This is an issue I have been working on for some time and will be legislating tomorrow. ”
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Matthews reports from New York City.