WGXC-90.7 FM

New York Attorney General releases scathing report on Cuomo sexual harassment allegations; Cuomo doubles down and does not resign

Aug 03, 2021 1:03 pm

On Aug. 3 New York Attorney General Letitia ("LA-teesh-uh") James released her office's report on the allegations of sexual harassment against Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Her office's investigation ”reveal[ed] a deeply disturbing clear picture of sexually harassed current and former state employees in violation of .. laws.” Click here to hear an excerpt of James speaking on Aug. 3. Less than two hours after James spoke, Cuomo put out a live webstream, but took no questions. Click here to hear an excerpt of Cuomo responding to the report. The AG report did not take a position on whether Cuomo should be subject to criminal prosecution for the alleged groping at the Executive Mansion. But James made clear that she believed the women accusers. Click here to hear a second excerpt of James speaking about the allegations. Many prominent Democrats and Republicans in New York had previously called on Cuomo to resign when the allegations emerged publicly earlier in the year, and an impeachment process began in the legislature. On Aug. 3, after the Attorney General's report, a few centrists such as Albany Assemblymember John T. McDonald released statements. “If the Governor does not resign, I as a member of the NYS Assembly, am prepared to vote in favor of moving forward with the impeachment proceedings,” McDonald said. In addition, all New York congressional Democrats have now called on Cuomo to resign. “No elected official is above the law. The people of New York deserve better leadership in the governor’s office. We continue to believe that the Governor should resign," read a joint statement from New York Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand. Didi Barrett, the Democrat who represents Columbia and Dutchess counties in the State Assembly, is one of the few local Democrats who has not yet called for Cuomo to resign. Albany County District Attorney David Soares said his office has an "ongoing criminal investigation" of Cuomo.