Update (1650ET): President Biden, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Chuck Schumer have called on Cuomo to resign.
PRES. BIDEN: “I think [Cuomo] should resign” pic.twitter.com/jUeu3itDtZ
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) August 3, 2021
“Recognizing his love of New York and the respect for the office he holds, I call upon the Governor to resign,” Pelosi said in a statement.
#BREAKING
House Speaker Nancy #Pelosi issues stmt re: NY AG report finding NY Gov. Andrew #Cuomo sexually harassed women & retaliated against one of them for publicly speaking out:“I call upon the Governor to resign.” pic.twitter.com/ECbjfLSaDj
— Devon Heinen (@DevonHeinen) August 3, 2021
CUOMO: Schumer, Gillibrand call for Cuomo to resign. pic.twitter.com/Heuq5sp044
— Forbes (@Forbes) August 3, 2021
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Update (1451ET): In a shocking development, the district attorney’s office for Albany County, New York, revealed the existence of an ongoing investigation into Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
More via CNBC:
The district attorney’s office for Albany County, New York, has an ongoing criminal investigation into conduct by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, and plans to request investigative materials from the state attorney general’s probe of his alleged sexual harassment toward 11 women.
News of that criminal probe came hours after Attorney General Letitia James detailed a report substantiating the women’s claims that Cuomo has subjected them to unwanted touching and remarks that make them uncomfortable.
* * *
Update (0140ET): In what should come as a surprise to nobody, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo won’t resign.
Here’s his 85-page defense, which includes page after page of politicians hugging and kissing.
In a Tuesday video response likely crafted by his CNN propagandist brother, Chris Cuomo, the governor insisted: “I never touched anyone inappropriately or made inappropriate sexual advances…That is just not who I am and that’s not who I have ever been.”
CUOMO DOUBLES DOWN: “I never touched anyone inappropriately or made inappropriate sexual advances…That is just not who I am and that’s not who I have ever been.” pic.twitter.com/BvvY95mgRd
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) August 3, 2021
He accused “others” of having fed “ugly stories to the press,” and said his attorney had prepared a public document that responds to all 11 of the women whose allegations were investigated by New York Attorney General Letitia James’ office.
Cuomo’s strongly-worded denial marked continuation of a posture that has hardened in recent weeks, with the embattled governor doubling down on his claims that he hadn’t harassed anyone and that the investigation itself was political in nature. –NBC News
Fredo’s fingerprints are all over this one:
On the left, an email showing CNN Anchor Chris Cuomo involved in crafting a statement for Governor Andrew Cuomo on February 28, 2021.
On the right, the official statement released by the Governor’s office on February 28, 2021. pic.twitter.com/ymL9P29puK
— Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) August 3, 2021
Cuomo then played a montage of him kissing and touching people.
DE BLASIO: “It is beyond clear that Andrew Cuomo is not fit to hold office and can no longer serve as Governor. He must resign, and if he continues to resist and attack the investigators who did their jobs, he should be impeached immediately.”
— Josh Caplan (@joshdcaplan) August 3, 2021
* * *
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is set to respond to sexual harassment allegations at 1pm et:
Cuomo is a lock for 2nd Emmy with this masterclass
— zerohedge (@zerohedge) August 3, 2021
Meanwhile, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) has called on Cuomo to resign.
NEW: Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York says she’s still reading the NY AG’s report on Cuomo but calls it “deeply, deeply disturbing.”
“I do believe he should resign.” pic.twitter.com/OcTJvXweI4
— Andrew Solender (@AndrewSolender) August 3, 2021
* * *
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed multiple women and took action against a former employee who complained publicly about his conduct, according to a Tuesday statement by NY Attorney General Letitia James, who accused the governor of violating federal and state laws.
In an investigation conducted by two outside attorneys, Cuomo’s administration was found to be a “hostile work environment” which was “rife with fear and intimidation,” according to the Associated Press.
On at least one occasion, the investigation found, Cuomo and his senior staff worked to retaliate against a former employee who accused him of wrongdoing. Cuomo was also found to have harassed women outside of government, the investigation found.
Cuomo faced multiple allegations last winter that he inappropriately touched and sexually harassed women who worked with him or who he met at public events. One aide in his office said he groped her breast.
Another, Lindsey Boylan, said Cuomo kissed her on the lips after a meeting in his office and “would go out of his way to touch me on my lower back, arms and legs.” -AP
NYS Attorney General’s office investigation into the sexual harassment allegations against @NYGovCuomo also found that the Executive Chamber “created a hostile work environment overall.”
— Morgan Mckay (@morganfmckay) August 3, 2021
According to the report, there are 11 complaints against Cuomo spanning 2013 – 2020.
The investigation began in March, after the New York executive chamber granted James’ request to investigate. Later that month, Cuomo was urged to resign by dozens of Democratic state lawmakers, including NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio.
According to James, investigators spoke with 179 people and reviewed more than 74,000 pieces of evidence – providing a “deeply disturbing, yet clear picture” of Cuomo’s alleged criminal sexual harassment of employees.
AG James says investigators in probe of Gov. Cuomo spoke to 179 people and reviewed more than 74,000 pieces of evidence. The investigation revealed “a deeply disturbing, yet clear picture” of Cuomo’s alleged criminal sexual harassment of employees https://t.co/5hX3mAWII9 pic.twitter.com/WstODrOmEm
— CBS News (@CBSNews) August 3, 2021
This presser is just getting worse and worse for @NYGovCuomo.
I knew Leticia James wanted his job, but damn, this woman went for the kill shot and is now just desecrating the corpse.
— John Cardillo (@johncardillo) August 3, 2021
Even the NYT’s Maggie Haberman admits this is damning for Cuomo.
James not giving an ambiguous statement here. Clearly states Cuomo violated laws. https://t.co/iYzsWsoc3F
— Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) August 3, 2021
As CNBC reports further, “New York Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, also a Democrat, in mid-March authorized a panel to launch an impeachment investigation into the harassment claims and other allegations of wrongdoing by Cuomo, including whether his staff tried to hide or alter data on coronavirus deaths in New York nursing homes.”
Cuomo claims he’s innocent, saying in March: “I never harassed anyone, I never assaulted anyone, I never abused anyone,” adding “I’m not going to resign.”
Reminder > https://t.co/Lk5pl2tWOu
— John Santucci (@Santucci) August 3, 2021
According to PredictIt, the odds of Cuomo remaining governor through the end of 2021 is plummeting.
What does Cuomo think of sexual harassers?
There should be a zero tolerance policy when it comes to sexual harassment & must send a clear message that this behavior is not tolerated.
— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) May 17, 2013
