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NEW YORK (AP) – The disgrace of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo reached a low point on Tuesday, when investigators said they corroborated allegations of sexual harassment against him by 11 women, many of which worked for him.
Cuomo, once highly regarded for his telegenic response to the coronavirus pandemic, continues to deny the claims and maintains that he’s not going anywhere – but his political future may soon be out of his own hands.
Here are the takeaways from Cuomo’s report and response, plus what happens next:
WHAT WAS ACCUSED OF DOING CUOMO?
Several women accused Cuomo sexual harassment and assault. Public allegations, which began in December and escalated over the winter, ranged from inappropriate comments to forced kissing and trial and error.
DID THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S INVESTIGATION FIND CUOMO GUILTY?
Well no. An investigation cannot find anyone guilty – it’s up to the judge and jury to decide. In addition, the investigation was civil and not criminal in nature. But investigators found that the 11 women were telling the truth about Cuomo’s behavior and that Cuomo had created a hostile work environment “beset by fear and intimidation.”
BUT WILL CUOMO BE CHARGED?
State Attorney General Letitia James, who oversaw the investigation, said there would be no criminal referral, but police and local prosecutors can use the evidence and findings to mount their case. own records. New York’s capital district attorney Albany said on Tuesday he was requesting investigative documents from James and urged victims to come forward.
CUOMO TOLD THE PUBLIC TO WAIT TO JUDGE HIM UNTIL THE INQUIRY IS COMPLETED. WHAT IS HE SAYING NOW?
Cuomo is more defiant than ever, refuting the allegations in a taped response and claiming that “the facts are very different from what has been described” and that he “has never inappropriately touched anyone or made sexual advances. inappropriate “. He also alleged that the investigation itself was fueled by “politics and prejudice”.
HOW DOES CUOMO EXPLAIN HIS BEHAVIOR?
Cuomo apologized for making staff members uncomfortable, but attributed some of the allegations to misunderstandings caused by generational and cultural differences (he is Italian-American) while categorically denying the most serious allegations. Accompanied by several slideshows from Cuomo and other politicians kissing members of the public, the governor said the gesture was inherited from his parents and meant to impart warmth.
SOMEONE A CUOMO PRESS TO RESIGN?
Many people. President Joe Biden – once a close ally of Cuomo – said on Tuesday that while he hadn’t read the report, he believed Cuomo should step down. The two US senators from New York, Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, have said he should resign. So are the Speaker of the House of the United States, Nancy Pelosi, the governors of neighboring New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Connecticut, as well as many other Democrats.
OK, WHAT’S NEXT IF CUOMO DOESN’T RESIGN?
The State Assembly has the power to lay impeachment charges against Cuomo and aims to complete its own investigation “as quickly as possible,” according to President Carl Heastie, a Democrat who said it was clear that Cuomo could no longer stay in post. The Assembly could theoretically vote to launch an impeachment procedure before the end of the inquiry.
WHY CAN’T THE NEW YORK CITY JUST REMEMBER CUOMO?
It’s not California. New York has no mechanism to remove elected officials by removal.
GOOD. HOW DOES IMPEACHMENT WORK IN NEW YORK?
New York’s dismissals begin in the Assembly, and if a majority of members vote to remove Cuomo, the case goes to impeachment court. In this case, that tribunal would consist of the state Senate – minus its majority leader – and the seven judges of the state’s highest court. Two-thirds of the court is expected to vote to order removing Cuomo.
HAS A NEW YORK GOVERNOR EVER BEEN ASKED?
Once, in 1913. Governor William Sulzer was ousted after less than a year in office. He claimed his impeachment was retribution for turning his back on Tammany Hall’s powerful democratic machine.
IF CUOMO LEAVES ITS DUTIES, WHO WILL BECOME GOVERNOR?
Kathy Hochul, the 62-year-old lieutenant governor. The Western New York Democrat has served in Congress before, but has a limited public profile in the state.
IS CUOMO IN ANOTHER PROBLEM?
James is also investigating whether Cuomo broke the law by asking members of his staff to help write and promote. his book on pandemic leadership, “American Crisis: Leadership Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic,” for which he was to earn more than $ 5 million. Federal investigators are also investigating the state’s handling of nursing home death data.
IF IT ISN’T ousted, WILL THE ELECTORS HAVE SAID?
So far, everything indicates he is running for a fourth term in 2022, and he has started raising funds. Some polls earlier this year suggested public support for Cuomo had waned, but not dramatically. No other Democrat has officially issued a major challenge. On the Republican side, possible opponents include U.S. Representative Lee Zeldin and Andrew Giuliani, son of Rudy.
WAS THIS PROBE POLITICAL?
James has denied having any political motives for the investigation, which was authorized by Cuomo, and has not publicly said whether she is interested in running for governor. While his office oversaw the investigation, it was conducted by two outside lawyers, Anne Clark and Joon Kim, who spoke with 179 people – including Cuomo himself.
DID THE SURVEY DISCOVER ANY ALLEGATIONS WE DO NOT ALREADY KNOW?
Yes – according to the report, a state soldier on Cuomo’s security details said Cuomo ran his hand or fingers over her stomach and back, kissed her on the cheek, asked her to l help finding a girlfriend and had asked why she wasn’t wearing a dress. The report also included an allegation by a woman working for an energy company who said Cuomo touched her chest at an event and ran her hand between her shoulder and breasts.
HOW DID CUOMO ACHIEVE AGAINST A FORMER EMPLOYEE?
The former employee in question is Lindsey Boylan, Cuomo’s first public accuser. Investigators said Cuomo’s team sent Boylan’s personnel files to reporters hours after Boylan’s December tweet alleging sexual harassment. They also said the governor’s circle circulated a letter that “attacked” Boylan’s alleged work conduct and theorized it was being funded by far-right Republicans.
WHAT WERE THE RESPONSES FROM THE ACCUSATORS OF CUOMO TO THE REPORT?
Charlotte Bennett, a former assistant to whom Cuomo personally apologized in a taped response to the findings, called the apology “trivial” and said if the governor was truly sorry he would step down. A lawyer for two accusers called Cuomo’s response “laughable” and “manipulative.” Boylan’s attorney expressed gratitude to investigators.
WILL CUOMO TALK ABOUT IT IN HIS BROTHER’S EXHIBITION?
Probably not. The governor’s brother, Chris Cuomo, is a CNN presenter. The fraternal duo – the sons of the late Governor Mario Cuomo – made headlines at the start of the pandemic for their jokes about young Cuomo’s prime-time show, but Chris Cuomo has since been banned from covering his brother. Tuesday’s report also detailed how Chris Cuomo advised his older brother.
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