Andrew Cuomo: pressure mounts after impeachment inquiry of New York Speaker

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For Cuomo, who has come under fire over allegations of sexual harassment and his handling of nursing home deaths, the developments are the most serious sign yet that his support within his own. party is eroding rapidly after a decade of domination in the state’s political scene. .

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

The committee headed by the Democratic Assembly Charles Lavine is authorized to subpoena documents, question witnesses and assess evidence, the statement said.

“The reports of charges against the governor are serious,” Heastie said.

Heastie said he had “extreme faith” that Lavine and the committee would conduct a “speedy” investigation.

CNN has reached out to the offices of Cuomo, Lavine and Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul for their comment.

In a statement, New York Attorney General Letitia James said the Assembly’s action will “have no bearing” on its investigation.

Calls on Cuomo to resign

Cuomo downplayed and deflected questions about nursing home data at daily press conferences last spring

Earlier Thursday, more than 50 Democratic lawmakers called for Cuomo’s resignation, arguing he had “lost public confidence” and was “ineffective in this time of most urgent need.”

“In light of the governor’s admission of inappropriate behavior and the modified data results of COVID-19 deaths in retirement homes, it has lost the trust of the public and the state legislature, rendering it ineffective in this time of most urgent need, ”the group of 59 Democrats in the New York State Senate and Assembly wrote in a letter released Thursday.

The letter represents the largest manifestation of public pressure the Democratic governor of New York has faced from his own party to step down. Jay Jacobs, the Democratic President of New York State, called for the allegations to be investigated by the legislature. He acknowledged some Democrats’ calls for Cuomo’s resignation, but declined to do so himself, saying instead he would call a meeting of county presidents to hear their views.

In their letter, lawmakers acknowledge that James’s independent civilian investigation into the governor’s behavior must continue, but that they can no longer wait for its completion.

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

“It is time for Governor Cuomo to step down,” they add.

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

Signatories to the letter include 19 state senators and 40 state assembly members, including Democratic Congressman Ron Kim who alleged last month that Cuomo threatened him and his career.

They add to the Democratic top of the state Senate Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, who said on Sunday that “for the good of the state, Governor Cuomo must resign.”

Read: Democratic New York State lawmakers call for Cuomo's resignation
Last week, a handful of Democratic lawmakers and U.S. Democratic Representative Kathleen Rice from New York called on Cuomo to step down amid growing allegations. Since then, as two more women have come forward, the list of New York Democrats calling for her ouster has grown.

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio also said Thursday that Cuomo “can no longer be governor.” Democrats who serve nationally have been much more low-key in their responses, with White House press secretary Jen Psaki this week saying “all women should be heard” but refusing to condemn Cuomo on allegations and referring to the ongoing investigation.

On Sunday, Heastie called the allegations against Cuomo “deeply disturbing” in a tweet, adding, “I think it is time for the governor to seriously consider whether or not to effectively meet the needs of the people of New York.”

Multiple controversies

Cuomo faces growing democratic backlash as top New York state lawmakers call for resignation
Cuomo’s administration underestimated the number of Covid deaths among New York City long-term care patients, according to a state attorney general report, then delayed sharing potentially damaging information with state legislators.

Until the end of January, residents of long-term care facilities who died from Covid-19 were only classified this way if they died inside a facility. Those who died after being transferred out or to hospital were not included in this specific figure. The total number of Covid deaths in New York has remained the same, but the practice has led to a dramatic misrepresentation of the true toll in New York’s long-term care facilities.

Cuomo and his administration defended their decision, arguing that when the Justice Department and New York state lawmakers asked questions, the federal investigation became their priority. The governor denied any suggestion of wrongdoing.

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

The firestorm, which has devoured New York politics for the past two weeks, began on February 24, when former aide Lindsey Boylan alleged in a Medium article that Cuomo kissed her on the lips against his will in 2018 after a brief, one-on-one. a meeting in his New York office.
Last week, Cuomo apologized to the women and said he never knew he was “making someone uncomfortable” and denied touching anyone inappropriately. He rejected calls for his resignation.

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

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