Senior aides and Democratic leaders are keeping their distance from the governor of New York Andrew Cuomo In a report released by New York State’s Attorney General Letitia James last Tuesday, it detailed allegations of sexual harassment by 11 women at various points in the past seven years.
After the report was released, senior Democratic officials including the president Joe Biden, Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi, and Senate Majority leader Chuck Schumer The three governors have been called to resign. Several of Como’s aides in Albany also kept their distance from the embattled governor.
In addition, a Quinnipiac University poll found Seven out of ten The New Yorker thinks he should resign because of these allegations.
As his inner circle shrinks, Cuomo did not make any public statements about his future plans, only talking about the situation in a video that denied these allegations last week. As the investigation is still ongoing, including the possibility of criminal charges against the governor, Cuomo has many possibilities for the future.
Resign
News of potential harassment allegations broke out in March last year. At the same time, Cuomo was also accused of underreporting the number of deaths in a state nursing home related to COVID-19. Cuomo said he would not succumb to the “cancel culture” and resign.
Despite renewed pressure after the Attorney General’s report, Cuomo’s lawyer Rita Gravin told CNN Last Saturday, she “did not know that the governor planned to resign.”
Along with Biden, Pelosi and Schumer, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (DN.Y.), U.S. Representative. Alexander Ocasio-Cortez (DN.Y.) and Rep. Jerrold Nadler, chairman of the New York House Judiciary Committee, called on the governor to resign. Melissa DeRosa, one of Como’s top aides in Albany, resigned from her position last weekend.
By resigning to avoid impeachment investigations, Cuomo can not only avoid further political humiliation, but also protect him from further scrutiny of the processing of suspected manipulation of COVID-19 nursing home death data. However, if Cuomo refuses to voluntarily leave, he may be impeached next.
Impeach
Stephanie Keith/Photo by Getty Images
According to the Associated Press, at least 86 members of the 150-member New York State Assembly have publicly stated or told the Associated Press that they support impeachment. Initiation of the impeachment proceedings requires a simple majority.
After the impeachment resolution is passed, the state will convene the state Senate for an impeachment trial. The members of the State Senate and seven judges of the New York Court of Appeals sit in this courtroom. According to NY1 reports, during the impeachment trial, Cuomo will have to temporarily resign as governor, with Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul acting as acting governor. Before the trial begins, Cuomo will have at least 30 days to prepare his defense.
According to the Associated Press, almost all 63 members of the state Senate called on Cuomo to step down or be removed. The State Senate requires 46 votes (two-thirds majority) to convict the governor.
In an exchange with NY1, Congressman David Weprin, who is a member of the Judiciary Committee, stated that no formal action will be taken until at least 5 pm on Friday, August 13, because the committee ensures that the documents submitted by the governor will be reviewed. The team before the deadline.
Criminal charges
Photograph by Darren McGee/New York Governor’s Office via Getty Images
Criminal investigations may further facilitate and complicate impeachment investigations. James said in her report that she found evidence that Cuomo was suspected of harassing the 11 women listed, violating state and federal laws.
District prosecutors in Manhattan, Nassau, Oswego and Westchester counties have announced that they will launch criminal investigations against the governor to investigate allegations of harassment in every area under their jurisdiction.
If tried and found guilty, Cuomo could face imprisonment.In the interview CBS Last weekend, Brittany Commisso, Como’s former administrative assistant, was one of the 11 women mentioned in the report. She said that she filed a criminal report stating that “he did what he did to me. The thing is a crime.”
Re-elected
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If Cuomo is not impeached and removed, and he is not found guilty in any potential criminal proceedings, then he can run for governor of New York for the fourth time. If so, a long list of Democratic and Republican challengers are waiting for him.
Potential Democratic challengers expressing public interest in the campaign include New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, State Senator Alexandra Biaggi, New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer and New York City City Public Advocate Juman Williams.
Potential Republican candidates who have considered running for governor include U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin, News Center Contributor Andrew Giuliani, podcast Derek Gibson, Lewis Country Sheriff Mike Capinelli and former Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino.
