New York Governor Andrew Cuomo investigation: What we all know and what is subsequent
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s monthslong fall from grace reached a nadir on Tuesday, when investigators stated they substantiated grownup harassment allegations in opposition to him from 11 girls, lots of whom have labored for him.
Cuomo, as soon as extensively liked for his telegenic reaction to the coronavirus pandemic, continues to disclaim the allegations and maintains he is not going any place — however his political long run may quickly be out of his personal palms.
Listed below are the takeaways from the file and Cuomo’s reaction, at the side of what occurs subsequent:
WHAT WAS CUOMO ACCUSED OF DOING?
A couple of girls accused Cuomo of grownup harassment and attack. The general public allegations, which began in December and cascaded over the iciness, ranged from irrelevant feedback to pressured kisses and groping.
DID THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S PROBE FIND CUOMO GUILTY?
Smartly, no. A probe cannot to find somebody responsible — that is for a pass judgement on and jury to make a decision. Plus, the probe used to be civil, now not felony, in nature. However investigators did to find the 11 girls had been telling the reality about Cuomo’s habits and that Cuomo created a opposed paintings setting “rife with concern and intimidation.”
BUT WILL CUOMO BE CHARGED?
State Lawyer Basic Letitia James, who oversaw the probe, stated there could be no felony referral however native police and prosecutors can use the proof and findings to construct their very own circumstances. The district legal professional in New York’s capital, Albany, stated Tuesday he used to be soliciting for James’ investigative fabrics and inspired sufferers to come back ahead.
CUOMO TOLD THE PUBLIC TO WAIT TO JUDGE HIM UNTIL THE INVESTIGATION WAS COMPLETE. WHAT DOES HE SAY NOW?
Cuomo is extra defiant than ever, disputing allegations in a taped reaction and announcing “the details are a lot other than what has been portrayed” and that he “by no means touched somebody inappropriately or made irrelevant grownup advances.” He additionally alleged that the investigation itself used to be fueled through “politics and bias.”
HOW IS CUOMO EXPLAINING HIS BEHAVIOR?
Cuomo apologized for making staffers really feel uncomfortable, however chalked up one of the vital allegations to misunderstandings brought about through generational and cultural variations (he is Italian American) whilst flat-out denying the more severe allegations. Accompanied through more than one slideshows of Cuomo and different politicians embracing contributors of the general public, the governor stated the gesture used to be inherited from his folks and supposed to put across heat.
IS ANYONE PRESSURING CUOMO TO RESIGN?
A lot of people. President Joe Biden — as soon as Cuomo’s shut best friend — stated Tuesday that, whilst he hadn’t learn the file, he idea Cuomo will have to hand over. Each U.S. senators for New York, Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, say he will have to renounce. So does U.S. Space Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the governors of neighboring New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Connecticut, and plenty of different Democrats.
OK, SO WHAT’S NEXT IF CUOMO DOESN’T RESIGN?
The state Meeting has the facility to carry impeachment fees in opposition to Cuomo and goals to wrap up its personal probe “as temporarily as imaginable,” consistent with Speaker Carl Heastie, a Democrat who stated it used to be transparent Cuomo may not stay in place of business. The Meeting may theoretically vote to release impeachment court cases prior to the probe is done.
WHY CAN’T NEW YORKERS JUST RECALL CUOMO?
This is not California. New York has no mechanism to take away elected officers by way of recall.
FINE. HOW DOES IMPEACHMENT IN NEW YORK WORK?
New York impeachments get started within the Meeting, and if a majority of contributors vote to question Cuomo, the topic strikes to the Impeachment Courtroom. On this case, that court docket would contain the state Senate — minus its majority chief — and the seven judges of the state’s best court docket. Two-thirds of the court docket would want to vote to convict to take away Cuomo.
HAS A GOVERNOR OF NEW YORK EVER BEEN IMPEACHED?
As soon as, in 1913. Gov. William Sulzer used to be ousted after lower than a 12 months in place of business. He claimed his impeachment used to be retribution for turning his again at the tough Tammany Corridor Democratic device.
IF CUOMO LEAVES OFFICE, WHO WOULD BECOME GOVERNOR?
Kathy Hochul, the 62-year-old lieutenant governor. The Democrat from western New York as soon as served in Congress, however has a restricted public profile within the state.
IS CUOMO IN ANY OTHER TROUBLE?
James could also be investigating into whether or not Cuomo broke the legislation in having contributors of his team of workers lend a hand write and advertise his pandemic management ebook, “American Disaster: Management Classes from the COVID-19 Pandemic,” for which he used to be set to earn greater than $five million. Federal investigators also are probing the state’s dealing with of knowledge associated with nursing house deaths.
IF HE ISN’T OUSTED, WILL VOTERS HAVE A SAY?
To this point, all indicators level to him operating for a fourth time period in 2022, and he has begun fundraising. Some polling previous this 12 months prompt the general public’s make stronger for Cuomo had slipped, however now not dramatically so. No different Democrats have formally issued a number one problem. At the Republican facet, imaginable combatants come with U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin and Andrew Giuliani, son of Rudy.
WAS THIS PROBE POLITICAL?
James has denied having any political motivations for the probe, which used to be licensed through Cuomo, and has now not stated publicly whether or not she is fascinated about operating for governor. Whilst her place of business oversaw the probe, it used to be performed through two out of doors legal professionals, Anne Clark and Joon Kim, who spoke with 179 other people — together with Cuomo himself.
DID THE INVESTIGATION UNCOVER ANY ALLEGATIONS THAT WE DIDN’T ALREADY KNOW ABOUT?
Sure — consistent with the file, a state trooper on Cuomo’s safety element stated Cuomo ran his hand or arms throughout her abdomen and her again, kissed her at the cheek, requested for her lend a hand find a female friend and requested why she did not put on a get dressed. The file additionally integrated an allegation from a lady operating for an power corporate who stated Cuomo touched her chest at an tournament and brushed his hand between her shoulder and breasts.
HOW DID CUOMO RETALIATE AGAINST A FORMER EMPLOYEE?
The previous worker in query is Lindsey Boylan, Cuomo’s first public accuser. Investigators stated Cuomo’s group despatched newshounds Boylan’s group of workers information inside of hours of Boylan’s December tweet alleging grownup harassment. In addition they stated the governor’s circle circulated a letter that “attacked” Boylan’s alleged paintings behavior and theorized she used to be funded through far-right Republicans.
WHAT WERE CUOMO’S ACCUSERS’ RESPONSES TO THE REPORT?
Charlotte Bennett, a former aide to whom Cuomo in my opinion apologized in a taped reaction to the findings, referred to as the apology “meaningless” and stated that if the governor had been in point of fact sorry, he would step down. A attorney for 2 accusers referred to as Cuomo’s reaction “laughable” and “manipulative.” Boylan’s legal professional expressed gratitude in opposition to investigators.
WILL CUOMO TALK ABOUT THIS ON HIS BROTHER’S SHOW?
Almost certainly now not. The governor’s brother, Chris Cuomo, is a CNN anchor. The fraternal duo — sons of the overdue Gov. Mario Cuomo — grabbed headlines within the early days of the pandemic for his or her banter on the more youthful Cuomo’s primetime display, however Chris Cuomo has since been barred from protecting his brother. Tuesday’s file additionally detailed how Chris Cuomo urged his older brother.
READ: Details are a lot other: New York Governor Cuomo defiant after probe says he sexually confused 11 girls
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