After the release of the AG report, Governor Andrew Cuomo is still the subject of multiple state and federal investigations. Here’s how the impeachment process could unfold, and who might replace Cuomo if he’s removed.
Following multiple allegations of sexual harassment against Governor Andrew Cuomo, as well as reports that his administration may have mishandled or hidden data regarding COVID-19 deaths at New York nursing homes, two state investigations were launched in the spring of 2021 to examine the claims. The FBI reportedly launched its own investigation as well, focusing on allegations that the Cuomo administration provided false information on nursing home deaths to the Justice Department. The state attorney general’s investigation culminated in a stunning report released Tuesday, which concluded that Cuomo sexually harassed 11 women, violating federal and state law. The governor responded by insisting, as he has all along, that he did not engage in any form of misconduct. Cuomo also made it clear that he has no intention of heeding widespread calls for his resignation, including from President Joe Biden. The AP reports that a majority of state Assembly members say they will vote to begin impeachment proceedings if Cuomo does not step down. Below is an overview of the investigations as they stand, the impeachment process, and how everything might play out. New York attorney general Letitia James launched an independent investigation into the allegations of sexual harassment against Governor Cuomo made by multiple former aides. She named Joon H. Kim, the former acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York and employment discrimination attorney Anne L. Clark to lead the probe. The investigation took place over the course of five months with investigators speaking to 179 people, including complainants and current and former state employees. They also questioned Governor Cuomo for 11 hours as part of the investigation. The team reviewed more than 74,000 pieces of evidence “including documents, emails, texts, audio files, and pictures,” according to James. The final report was released on August 3 with James revealing in a press conference that the investigators found the women’s accusations against Cuomo credible. “The independent investigation has concluded that Governor Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed multiple women and, in doing so, violated federal and state law,” James said. “Specifically, the investigation found that Governor Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed current and former New York State employees by engaging in unwelcome and non-consensual touching and making numerous offensive comments of a suggestive and sexual nature that created a hostile work environment for women.” The 165-page report laid out allegations against the governor from 11 women, three of which were previously unknown, in vivid detail and with supporting evidence. One of the new accounts came from a female state trooper in the unit assigned to protect the governor, who said she was sexually harassed by Cuomo on numerous occasions. Though James said Cuomo violated state and federal law, she said there would be no criminal referral from her office. However, other prosecutors could decide to utilize the public report in any future investigations.
