Story at a glance
- A report released by New York state Attorney General Letitia James substantiated numerous allegations of sexual harassment and assault against Cuomo.
- Cuomo maintained that he “never touched anyone inappropriately or made inappropriate sexual advances.”
- President Biden and top Democrats are urging him to quit.
Calls for New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) to step down are mounting after an independent investigation by the state attorney general’s office substantiated sexual harassment allegations against the governor.
The 165-page report released Tuesday by state Attorney General Letitia James’ (D) office detailed numerous allegations of sexual harassment and assault against Cuomo, ranging from inappropriate comments to forced kissing and groping of current and former state employees.
The report also claimed he created a hostile work environment for women, a violation of state and federal law.
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Following the release of the report, Cuomo maintained that he “never touched anyone inappropriately or made inappropriate sexual advances,” and ignored renewed calls for his resignation.
“I have lived my entire adult life in public view. That is just not who I am, and that’s not who I have ever been,” he said in a video statement.
“The facts are much different than what has been portrayed,” Cuomo said in a video statement.
Cuomo’s attorney released a document claiming James’ office “directed an utterly biased investigation and willfully ignored evidence inconsistent with the narrative they have sought to weave from the outset.” His attorney said the investigators “ignored the Governor’s testimony and substantial corroborating evidence.”
The state attorney’s report prompted widespread calls for Cuomo’s resignation from top Democrats, Republicans and governors.
President Biden told reporters Tuesday he believed the governor should step down.
“I’m sure there were some embraces that were totally innocent. But apparently, the attorney general decided there were things that weren’t,” he said.
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The state’s two Democratic senators, Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, as well as most of New York’s congressional delegation and state legislators called for Cuomo’s resignation. Gillibrand called the findings “deeply, deeply disturbing,” and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi reiterated calls for the governor to go.
Four Democratic governors from nearby states also joined the chorus of officials calling on Cuomo to quit. The governors of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Rhode Island put out a statement saying they were “appalled” by the findings.
New York Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie (D) said in a statement Cuomo should no longer be in office.
“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,” Heastie said.
Cuomo’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Changing America on whether he will step down.
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