The state Assembly is ramping up its impeachment probe of Gov. Andrew Cuomo, concluding he’s unfit to remain in office after a bombshell state investigative report found the governor is a serial sexual harasser.
Powerful Speaker Carl Heastie delivered the potential death blow to Cuomo in a statement after Assembly Democrats held an emergency virtual meeting to discuss the scathing report released by state Attorney General Letitia James.
“After our conference this afternoon to discuss the Attorney General’s report concerning sexual harassment allegations against Governor Cuomo, it is abundantly clear to me that the Governor has lost the confidence of the Assembly Democratic majority and that he can no longer remain in office,” Heastie said.
“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.”
The Assembly Judiciary Committee, which is leading the impeachment probe, meets on Monday.
Assembly members described the virtual meeting on Cuomo’s fate as long, with many lawmakers speaking out against the governor.
One Assembly member said “not a single voice of support” was expressed for Cuomo.
“I think all of us are reeling from the report as most of us did not expect this today …dozens spoke up,” the lawmaker said.
Aside from the sexual harassment claims, the Assembly is also probing Cuomo’s handling of nursing homes deaths during the coronavirus pandemic, allegations that he used state resources to prepare his $5.1 million COVID-19 book deal, among other issues.
Sources said Assembly members even discussed hiring the independent investigators who conducted the attorney general’s office probe of Cuomo — former prosecutor Joon Kim and employment lawyer Anne Clark — as consultants.
