[ad_1]
The Albany sheriff said the complaint against Cuomo was “criminal in nature.”
The Albany County Sheriff told a news conference that New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo could face a possible misdemeanor charge following a criminal complaint filed against him this week.
Sheriff Craig Apple told reporters on Saturday that the investigation was in its “early stages” and that the complaint against Cuomo was “of a criminal nature” and that the alleged conduct was “of a sexual nature.” No report will be made public.
The complaint was filed Thursday by a former New York State employee who claimed the governor groped her chest at the governor’s state residence in 2020. She is called “Executive Assistant No. 1” in New York Attorney General Letitia James’ report released Tuesday.
Apple said authorities sat with the complainant and her lawyer for an hour on Thursday.
He said the county sheriff’s office contacted James’s office to request investigative material used in the report, which found Cuomo had violated federal and state law by sexually harassing at least 11 women.
Apple said the next steps include waiting for investigative documents from the attorney general and interviewing the victim. From there, the Sheriff’s Office will sit with the Albany District Attorney’s Office to decide whether to go ahead with a criminal charge.
When asked what charge Cuomo might face, Apple said, “From what I’ve read so far, I can tell we’re floating around a misdemeanor, but again, it’s just from the attorney general’s report. “
Cuomo has denied all allegations of sexual harassment.
He responded to Tuesday’s report with a video address stating, “I want you to know directly from me that I have never touched anyone inappropriately or made inappropriate sexual advances.”
Cuomo’s attorney, Rita Glavin, said Executive Assistant No.1’s groped allegation was fabricated.
“He is 63 years old. He has spent 40 years in public life and for him, all of a sudden, he is accused of sexual assault on an executive assistant that he really does not know, it does not pass” Glavin said. at a press conference Friday in response to the complaint.
So far, at least five district attorney’s offices – Manhattan, Albany, Westchester County, Nassau County and Oswego County – have opened investigations into Cuomo for alleged incidents described in the report that took place in their jurisdictions.
Following Saturday’s press conference, Fabien Levy, the press secretary for the New York AG state office, issued a statement saying, “We will fully cooperate with the Sheriff of Albany and provide all evidence related to this complainant. Likewise, we will cooperate with all law enforcement agencies where appropriate. “
[ad_2]
Source link