Image source,Reuters
This report caused Cuomo to lose blood in his political life, and the report further weakened Cuomo’s hopes of being re-elected as governor next year.
After the independent judicial investigation report that shocked American politics was released, it confirmed that Democratic New York Governor Andrew Cuomo had sexually harassed many women, and US President Joe Biden called for his resignation.
A few hours after New York State Attorney General James (Letitia James) publicly announced that Cuomo had violated US state and federal laws, Biden condemned Cuomo.
In response to the investigation report and criticism, Cuomo firmly denied any improper physical contact with anyone and vowed to continue to serve.
Cuomo may now face impeachment and another criminal investigation.
“I think he should resign,” Biden told reporters at the White House on Tuesday (August 3). “I know that the state legislature may decide to impeach. I have not read this report, and I don’t know the details of it.”
The investigation initiated by the Attorney General began last year when a number of women came forward to accuse Cuomo of sexual harassment.
Investigators spent five months talking with nearly 200 people, including colleagues and some people who complained to Cuomo, and reviewed tens of thousands of documents, text messages and pictures.
Attorney General James said: “The conclusion of the independent investigation is that Governor Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed multiple ladies, which also violated federal and state laws.”
She also said that Cuomo made “unwelcome and unauthorized touches, and said many offensive words to many women.”
Como “strokes the female state policeman’s neck with his fingers”
According to James, in one case under investigation, Cuomo and his colleagues retaliated against a former employee who accused him of wrongdoing.
Other women described involuntarily being touched, kissed, or sitting on the governor’s lap.
The report mentioned that Cuomo had reached an assistant’s shirt and touched her chest, while another assistant said that the governor asked her if she would like to have sex with an older man.
According to investigators, Cuomo once stood behind a female state police officer while waiting for the elevator, and began to stroke her neck to back with her fingers, and then greeted her.
In addition to allegations of harassment, Cuomo was also accused of dominating a “hostile and harmful work environment.”
Former federal prosecutor Joon Kim, who co-participated in the investigation, said, “In this work culture, you can’t say no to the governor. If you make him or his senior supervisor unhappy, you will be fired, or To be thrown aside, even worse.”
But Cuomo issued a statement saying: “I want to tell everyone directly that I have never touched anyone inappropriately, nor have I made any inappropriate sexual provocations.”
“I am 63 years old this year. My entire adult life is in public view. The person in this report is not me, and I have never done the things mentioned in it,” he said.
However, the Democratic leader of the New York Senate, Chuck Schumer, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi, all once again called on Cuomo to resign after the investigation report was released.
Schumer said: “Today’s report on the Governor of New York State confirms that brave women can stand up and share their experiences. Their accusations have been confirmed. We appreciate the actions of these women.”
Since the investigation is a civil investigation, not a criminal investigation, it will not directly lead to a sentence.
However, the US police can still use this report to decide whether to take further action, and the report may also play a key role in another impeachment investigation he is facing, as well as in the criminal investigation in Albany, the state capital.
Image source,Getty
Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi (Nancy Pelosi) calls on Cuomo to resign
Analysis: Como’s political destiny seems to be doomed
Anthony Zurcher BBC North America correspondent
Earlier this year, after the allegations of sexual harassment in Cumo raised high levels of concern, the development of the situation has been quiet during the months of judicial investigations. Now that the New York State Attorney General’s report is released, these allegations have quickly become a hot topic.
At that time, through various actions of denial, apology and withdrawal, Cuomo hoped that the political storm would pass and escape the first wave of accusations. But now, the storm is coming again, and he seems to want to adopt the same strategy.
Even though the report disclosed a lot of new evidence and mentioned the conclusion that the governor had a set of “routines” for improper behavior. However, it is still an arduous task to pass legislation to impeach or remove Cuomo in an organized manner.
However, this report caused Cuomo to lose blood in his political life, and the report further weakened Cuomo’s hopes of being re-elected as governor next year. Como’s political reputation has declined, and his opponents have multiplied. The Democratic Party continues to distance itself from this man who was once one of the party’s most important stars.
President Biden, who has not yet made a clear judgment on the incident in Como, joined the chorus calling for Como to step down on Tuesday afternoon.
But the governor seemed determined to persevere and fight. But because he has few allies and therefore fewer choices, his political destiny is almost doomed.