State Assembly Judiciary Committee Will Issue Report On Investigation Into Andrew Cuomo
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Outrage from lawmakers and some of the women accusing Gov. Andrew Cuomo of sexual harassment has forced state Assembly leaders to reverse course.
They won't impeach him, but they will now make the findings of their investigation public, CBS2's Marcia Kramer reported Monday.
"Given the circumstances, the best way I can help now is if I step aside," Cuomo said on Aug. 10.
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He may have stepped aside, but Cuomo is not out of the woods yet.
Assembly leaders have done a stunning about face, now saying they will finish their multiple investigations of Cuomo, send the findings to state and federal prosecutors, and make their findings public.
"The Assembly Judiciary Committee will continue to review evidence and issue a final report on its investigation of Gov. Cuomo," Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Assembly Judiciary Chair Charles Lavine said in a statement.
Friday's announcement that the committee would suspend impeachment proceedings infuriated lawmakers, good government groups and some of the 11 woman who came forward to charge Cuomo with sexual harassment.
Assembly officials said the state constitution didn't allow impeaching someone not in office. Charlotte Bennett, one of Cuomo's most vocal accusers, claimed, "The New York State Assembly thinks corruption, sexual harassment/assault and retaliation are acceptable.
"Employing a lazy legal argument and offering a poorly reasoned memo, the speaker has taken the coward's way out," she continued.
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Sources told CBS2 the investigation will include not only the sexual harassment case brought by Attorney General Letitia James, but also COVID-19 nursing home deaths, questions about whether Cuomo's staff improperly worked on his book, and allegations he covered up safety concerns at the Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge.
Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle applauded the reversal.
"I'm hopeful that it is thorough, comprehensive and unbiased," said Republican Assemblyman Ed Ra.
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Democratic Assemblywoman Rebecca Seawright added, "We owe this to the 11 brave women ... to the taxpayers of New York, who are entitled to restitution of improperly utilized state resources."
The findings will be sent to the U.S. attorney, the attorney general and district attorneys in five jurisdictions.
There was no immediate response from Cuomo's office.
