Investigators in Cuomo impeachment probe receive 200 tips

Investigators looking into allegations against New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D), who is the subject of an impeachment probe, have received more than 200 tips regarding his conduct.

New York State Judiciary Committee Chairman Charles Lavine (D) revealed the number of tips received during the committee’s public meeting on Wednesday, which was the first gathering that focused on impeachment in almost a month, according to Politico.

Lavine on April 1 announced in a statement that a hotline was established for members of the public to provide information that is “relevant” to the assembly’s impeachment probe.

The hotline was set up by the Manhattan law firm Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, which was hired by the Assembly to investigate the claims against Cuomo, including allegations of sexual harassment and alleged wrongdoings related to his administration’s handling of coronavirus deaths and nursing home patients.

Lavine also revealed that David Polk has spoken with attorneys for about 70 people who “may have relevant information.” The law firm has also been in contact with four government agencies about “potentially relevant information — document requests and interviews,” according to Lavine.

The number of tips received was disclosed during the public portion of the meeting, which lasted about eight minutes. The committee then entered into executive session to discuss “matters that may disclose information relating to current and further investigations, the disclosure of which could jeopardize the effectiveness of those investigations.”

The Hill has reached out to Cuomo for comment.

During the meeting, Lavine laid out the four categories under investigation in the assembly’s impeachment probe: if Cuomo used his office to sexually harass or assault women, if Cuomo directed his staff to unlawfully withhold or misrepresent information regarding the effects of COVID-19 that was required to be reported to state and government entities, if Cuomo directed or had knowledge of executive personnel withholding information related to the safety concerns of New York State bridges and if Cuomo directed or had knowledge of executive personnel attempting to suppress or obstruct related investigations.

Lavine noted that a “subsection” of the second category listed is related to the allegations regarding the publication of Cuomo’s book, titled “American Crisis: Leadership Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic,” in addition to the “potential involvement” of state employees and resources in producing it.

On Monday, New York Attorney General Letitia James’s office confirmed that it had received a referral to open an investigation into Cuomo’s possible use of state resources for his recent pandemic memoir, titled “American Crisis: Leadership Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic.”

On March 11, New York State Speaker Carl Heastie authorized the Assembly Judiciary Committee to launch an impeachment investigation into allegations of misconduct against Cuomo.

In addition to the state Assembly probe, Cuomo is the subject of an investigation by James, who is looking into allegations of sexual harassment made against the governor.

Updated: April 22 at 2:19 p.m.