HV Officials Call For Cuomo To Resign After AG Releases Report

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — Gov. Andrew Cuomo is losing support within his own party after a damning report was released Tuesday by state Attorney General Letitia James.

"The Attorney General’s findings are clear and compelling," Westchester County Executive George Latimer said in a statement released moments after James' bombshell report was released at a Tuesday morning press conference in Albany. "The Governor must resign. The patterns of sexually harassing, intimidating and inappropriate behavior towards women cannot be tolerated."

The AG's report claims Cuomo violated federal and state laws. James said Cuomo sexually harassed 11 women and retaliated against a former staffer. The 165-page report painted a picture of a "toxic workplace," she said. SEE: Cuomo Sexually Harassed Multiple Women: AG's Report

State Senate Majority Leader Andrew Stewart-Cousins (D-Yonkers) said this report highlights unacceptable behavior by the governor and his administration.

"As I said, when these disturbing allegations first came to light, the Governor must resign for the good of the state. Now that the investigation is complete and the allegations have been substantiated, it should be clear to everyone that he can no longer serve as Governor," she said. "Our highest elected offices must reflect the values and integrity that they profess and New Yorkers hold dear. I thank the Attorney General and her investigators for their thorough investigation. I also wanted to give a special thank you to the courageous women who bravely stepped forward to shed light on this awful situation. We all owe them a debt of gratitude."

Among the sexual harassment claims were accusations by former Cuomo aides Lindsey Boylan and Charlotte Bennett.

The investigation spanned almost five months. Two outside attorneys spoke to 179 people who said that employees reported a "hostile work environment" that was "rife with fear and intimidation." Cuomo was interviewed by James' office two weeks ago.

In March, Cuomo apologized after the third woman accused him of sexual harassment, but said he was not going to resign.

State Senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick (D-Rockland/Westchester) said Tuesday he thought the Assembly should start impeachment proceedings if the governor did not resign.

"Attorney General Letitia James and her team have found that Gov. Cuomo sexually harassed multiple women, instigated unlawful retaliatory attacks on victims, and created a pervasive hostile culture of harassment in the Executive Chamber, in violation of state and federal law as well as the administration’s own workplace regulations," Reichlin-Melnick said.

Senator Shelley Mayer (D-Westchester) said the report was a damning indictment of the conduct and culture of the Governor and his executive team. "Their detailed substantiation of the complaints of 11 individual women validates those who were courageous enough to tell the truth and then face a campaign of ridicule and retaliation for doing so. The Governor’s effort to denigrate them and this investigation were shameful," she said.

"Those on his staff involved in the unlawful retaliation and coverup of the crimes must also resign," State Senator Pete Harckham (D-Westchester-Putnam) said.

"If the Governor refuses to resign, as a member of the Assembly I call on the Assembly Judiciary Committee to immediately introduce articles of impeachment and for the full Assembly to adopt them," said Assemblymember Chris Burdick (D-Westchester).

Assemblyman Kenneth Zebrowski said "many of the details are repugnant" in the report and exhibits. "As a member of the Judiciary Committee, the Committee tasked with the impeachment inquiry, I will provide additional information after we meet and chart the process forward after this report. The Assembly impeachment inquiry was tasked with investigating these sexual harassment allegations, as well as additional claims, including those related to nursing home deaths and bridge construction."

Local Republicans called for resignation, prosecution and impeachment.

Assemblyman Mike Lawler (R-Pearl River) said, "It was clear months ago that Andrew Cuomo was no longer fit to lead our state. Today, it became emphatically clear that he must not be allowed to lead our state another day, after breaking multiple federal and state laws."

Assemblyman Colin J. Schmitt (R-New Windsor), said, "No one is above the law, including Andrew Cuomo. Speaker Heastie must also immediately call the Assembly into special session to advance the impeachment process. The details presented in the report are heartbreaking and disturbing. I commend the victims of Governor Cuomo for stepping forward and I hope this is another step in their healing process."

In addition, Assemblyman Kevin Byrne (R-Putnam-Westchester) commented on Cuomo's response. "His defiant pre-recorded response to the AG’s report was one of the most bizarre, tone-deaf, and disturbing addresses I’ve ever watched from him during his tenure in public office."

They were joined by both of New York's senators.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand released a joint statement:

As we have said before, the reported actions of the Governor were profoundly disturbing, inappropriate, and completely unacceptable. Today’s report from the New York State Attorney General substantiated and corroborated the allegations of the brave women who came forward to share their stories – and we commend the women for doing so.

The New York State Attorney General has conducted an independent, thorough and professional investigation that found the Governor violated state and federal law, had a pattern of sexually harassing current and former employees, retaliated against at least one of the accusers, and created a hostile work environment.

No elected official is above the law. The people of New York deserve better leadership in the governor’s office. We continue to believe that the Governor should resign.

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