President, lawmakers call for Cuomo’s resignation over sexual harassment report

WASHINGTON / NEW YORK (TIP): U.S. President Joe Biden, along with lawmakers in the House and Senate, on Tuesday, August 3, called for New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo to step down following the release of an investigative report alleging he sexually harassed and otherwise engaged in inappropriate behavior with 11 women.

Earlier in the day, New York Attorney General Letitia James released a report, the result of an almost five-month, independent investigation, on the sexual harassment allegations against the governor that concluded Cuomo had engaged in the inappropriate behavior.1

The alleged victims of Cuomo’s harassment included his staff members and other women who worked for the state, and members of the public he encountered.2

In March, Biden had said that if the investigation confirmed the allegations, he thought Cuomo should resign. When a reporter asked about his March comments during a press briefing on COVID-19 vaccination efforts, Biden stood by them.3 Following yet another question about Cuomo, the president addressed his March comments again.

“What I said was if the investigation by the attorney general concluded that the allegations were correct, back in March, I would recommend he resign. That is what I’m doing today.”

Cuomo denied the allegations. “First, I want you to know directly from me that I never touched anyone inappropriately or made inappropriate sexual advances,” the governor said in response to the report.5 “I am 63 years old. I have lived my entire adult life in public view. That is just not who I am.” Cuomo did not say whether he would resign, but he did say he would “not be distracted” from doing his job by the allegations.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and other Capitol Hill lawmakers, such as New York Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand have also called for Cuomo’s resignation.

New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said New York state lawmakers were taking impeachment action.

“Once we receive all relevant documents and evidence from the Attorney General, we will move expeditiously and look to conclude our impeachment investigation as quickly as possible,” Heastie said.

Meanwhile, Cuomo says it’s about politics.

“Politics and bias are interwoven throughout every aspect of this situation,” Cuomo said.

Black, Latino, and Asian Caucus called on Governor Cuomo to resign.

“The findings disclosed today by the State Attorney General’s Office leave no doubt that Governor Cuomo committed sexual harassment, cultivated a workplace culture that was hostile to the women under his employ, and retaliated against those who spoke out against his abusive behavior.

Governor Cuomo’s continued denial of wrongdoing in the face of these disclosures do a disservice to the people of New York, as it is apparent that he violated the law, betrayed the public trust, and failed to uphold the values and principles that we as a society value.

He has lost all credibility and must resign immediately.

Sadly, despite the many revelations that have come to light over the past several years about similar misconduct, women continue to be subject to various forms of physical, verbal, and psychological abuse in the workplace. Worse, those who courageously dare to challenge their abusers face the prospect of both personal and profession ruin for such bravery.

Sexual harassment in any setting simply cannot be tolerated, and we have a moral obligation to be vigilant against all acts of misogyny whenever and wherever they occur.”

Senator Gaughran commented: “The Attorney General’s findings of sexual harassment and violations of New York State’s sexual harassment policy are credible and deeply troubling. I thank the women who bravely spoke out about the Governor’s reprehensible conduct.

In the best interest of the state, the Governor should resign.”

Mayor Bill de Blasio, on August 3, released the following statement on the release of Attorney General James’ report:

“My first thoughts are with the women who were subject to this abhorrent behavior, and their bravery in stepping forward to share their stories. The Attorney General’s detailed and thorough report substantiates many disturbing instances of severe misconduct. Andrew Cuomo committed sexual assault and sexual harassment and intimidated a whistleblower. It is disqualifying.

“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.” Cuomo Should Face Criminal Charge, De Blasio said.

“If you assault a woman, if you do something against her will sexually, that’s criminal,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said on “CBS This Morning.”

The fallout from a bombshell sexual harassment probe against Gov. Andrew Cuomo shouldn’t just end in the governor’s resignation or impeachment, Mayor Bill de Blasio said.

De Blasio said Cuomo — his bitter rival who sexually harassed or assaulted 11 women, according to a 165-page report — should face a criminal charge.

“If you assault a woman, if you do something against her will sexually, that’s criminal,” de Blasio said Wednesday on “CBS This Morning. “And the Albany County District Attorney is looking at that and I think he should be charged.”

Hours after de Blasio’s comment, Manhattan prosecutors announced they’ll look into accusations Cuomo committed misconduct in Manhattan.

The Manhattan D.A. is at least the third prosecutor’s office to start investigating Cuomo after Attorney General Letitia James released the misconduct report Tuesday. Westchester County’s D.A. said Wednesday she would investigate Cuomo over a state trooper’s assertion that the governor tried to kiss her outside his home in Mount Kisco, and Albany County’s prosecutor is looking into accusations there.

Cuomo denied accusations he harassed or groped women in a pre-taped video and report his office released.

But most lawmakers aren’t buying Cuomo’s denials — from President Joe Biden on down to New York City elected officials, they’re calling for his resignation and, if he doesn’t step down, removal from office by impeachment.

Perhaps the biggest sign of Cuomo’s crumblingsupport was a statement from Jay Jacobs, the state’s Democratic party chairman.

Jacobs said it appeared Cuomo, rather than resigning, “may seek to prolong the current situation.”

“The facts presented make clear that there is a preponderance of evidence of both a toxic workplace and actual sexual harassment,” Jacobs said. “I agree with the Attorney General. I believe the women. I believe the allegations. I cannot speak to the Governor’s motivations. What I can say is that the Governor has lost his ability to govern, both practically and morally. The Party and this State will not be well served by a long, protracted removal process designed only to delay what is now, clearly, inevitable.”

De Blasio, in appearances after the sexual harassment report’s release, lambasted Cuomo’s alleged misconduct and character as a person.

“When you read this report, 11 women systematically wronged, 11 women confronted by a powerful guy who could crush their career, and their reputation, and he’s the kind of guy that everyone assumes would if you crossed him,” he said on “CBS This Morning.”

Cuomo’s assertions that he likes to hug people and instances of alleged groping are a generational misunderstanding didn’t hold water with de Blasio.

“Putting your hand up a woman’s shirt and touching their breast is not generational,” he said on CBS. “I know plenty of guys who are older who would never in a million years do that. Talking to 20-something-year old women, asking them if they’d date an older guy and then leering at them — this is not acceptable behavior, it’s not even close.”

(With inputs from agencies)