Scandal-Plagued Cuomo 'Hurting' NYC, Mayor Says

NEW YORK CITY — Embattled Gov. Andrew Cuomo and his many scandals are "hurting" New York City, Mayor Bill de Blasio said Thursday.

De Blasio on Thursday heated up his already-incendiary criticism of Cuomo, calling the governor a "narcissist" and "Machiavellian" who is corrupted by power.

When asked by a reporter how Cuomo's scandals are affecting everyday New Yorkers, de Blasio was unequivocal.

"It's hurting the people in New York State and New York City," he said. "There's no question. You know, a guy who spends 11 hours having to testify about his sexual harassment and assaults is not a guy who's focusing on fighting COVID or getting us federal aid or getting rent relief money to people who need it."

The rent relief situation prompted widespread criticism of Cuomo the week before Attorney General Letitia James released a bombshell, 165-page report detailing 11 women's accounts of sexual harassment by the governor.

More than $2 billion in federal aid failed to get to hard-hit New Yorkers as they faced a looming eviction moratorium. Eventually, it appeared Cuomo was pushed into action by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who held a Hell's Kitchen rally demanding rent relief.

De Blasio called the situation "crazy" and cited another example of Cuomo's inaction hurting New Yorkers: a homeless voucher increase.

The City Council passed a bill increasing the value of vouchers to help more New Yorkers go from homelessness and into an apartment. De Blasio pressured state lawmakers to do the same, in part so the city wouldn't shoulder the financial burden alone, and they did.

"All it needs is a signature from the governor to help people who are homeless get an apartment," de Blasio said. "Governor hasn't managed to sign that bill weeks and weeks after it got passed. "

Cuomo should leave and let Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul take over, de Blasio said.

"hey need leaders who can focus and not be in the middle of defending themselves against endless charges against them," he said.

Lawmakers from President Joe Biden on down, along with prominent union and Democratic Party leaders, have called for Cuomo to resign. But he has shown no sign of budging from Albany, where lawmakers look to wrap up an impeachment inquiry.