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House of Commons Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Sunday the sexual harassment allegations against New York Governor Andrew Cuomo were “credible.”
The California representative joined a chorus of Democrats calling for a truly independent investigation into the misconduct charges against Cuomo by two of his former staff.
“Women who have brought serious and credible charges against Governor Cuomo deserve to be heard and to be treated with dignity,” Pelosi said in a statement.
“The independent investigation must follow due process and respect all those involved.”
The statement came as Cuomo, 63, agreed to let Attorney General Letitia James appoint an outside investigator into the growing scandal.
His senior adviser Beth Garvey initially said on Saturday night that the administration had brought in former federal judge Barbara Jones to lead an investigation.
However, the move quickly drew bipartisan criticism, both because Cuomo was trying to dictate his own investigation and because Jones previously worked with Cuomo’s attorney and key advisor Steve Cohen.
As the backlash mounted on Sunday morning, James asked the Cuomo administration to let his office appoint an independent investigator, as required by state law.
Cuomo’s concession came after several New York lawmakers, including Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-Bronx / Queens), stressed the importance of an impartial investigation.
“Lindsey Boylan and Charlotte Bennett’s detailed accounts of Governor Cuomo’s sexual harassment are extremely serious and painful to read,” wrote AOC. “There has to be an independent investigation – not by someone chosen by the governor, but by the attorney general’s office.”
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) – who led the charge that led to the resignation of former Senator Al Franken over allegations of sexual misconduct – had also been among those calling for an independent investigation.
“These allegations are serious and deeply worrying,” Gillibrand said in a statement. “As requested by Attorney General James, the case should be referred to her office so that she can conduct a transparent, independent and thorough investigation with subpoena power.”
Gillibrand In 2017, Gillibrand, the 2020 Democratic presidential candidate, quickly unreservedly condemned his colleague Franken as he faced growing allegations from several women.
“Enough is enough,” she said at the time.
Additional reporting by Mark Moore
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