Democratic Lawmaker Has 'Lost Confidence' In Cuomo

ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NY — It appears the walls are started to close in on Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who refused to acknowledge wrongdoing for claims of sexual harassment in this week's bombshell report by state Attorney General Letitia James.

He also refused to follow the mounting calls for his resignation.

The next step is opening impeachment proceedings in the Assembly.

"After the attorney general spoke, we had an emergency conference with the New York State Assembly majority," Assemblywoman Judy Griffin (D-Rockville Centre) told Patch. "There was absolute support for proceeding as expeditiously as possible with the Articles of Impeachment."

Griffin felt the AG's investigation was "impartial" and she "lost confidence in Gov. Cuomo's ability to lead."

The Judiciary Committee, of which she is not a member, has been investigating a broader array of allegations against Cuomo, including the nursing home scandal and his book deal.

They will meet on Monday to decide on what specific articles, if any, would be their focus.

"They might confine it to just the sexual harassment," Griffin said. "I'm not sure of that."

The timeline would have the committee receiving necessary documents from James's office, drafting the articles for the entire body. A majority is needed to advance the Articles of Impeachment.

"There won't be any problem [getting] a majority vote to proceed with the Articles of Impeachment," she said.

A trial in the New York State Senate could follow.

Even though there can be some fast-tracking by lawmakers, many constituents have reached out to Griffin's office wanting an immediate vote against the governor.

"The earliest it can be is in 30 days and it can't be over 60 days," Griffin said.

Several local district attorneys are in the process of opening investigations into possible criminality by Cuomo, but that will not impact Griffin's vote for impeachment.

"A criminal investigation doesn't weigh on my decision," Griffin said. "My decision weighs on what I've already heard [and] what came out in the report from our attorney general."

With potential criminal avenues and many Democrats already declaring Cuomo thrown out of office, it's unclear how he expects to govern effectively.

"This is his third term. There's been a lot of good the governor has done for our state. If he were to resign, we could just remember those positive things he did," Griffin said. "But it would be his choice if he doesn't resign and goes through the whole impeachment process; I feel that is all that he'll be remembered for."