More than 55 Democratic state lawmakers on Thursday called on Governor Andrew Cuomo to resign – and the Assembly speaker said he would hold a meeting “on possible ways forward” later in the day.
The statement by Cuomo’s fellow Democrats cited both the growing sexual harassment allegations against him and the cover of the total death toll in nursing homes, saying that “he has lost the trust of the public and state legislature, rendering him ineffective at this time has become. of the most urgent need. “
“We have a lieutenant governor who can act and lead for the remainder of the term, and this is what’s best for New Yorkers at this critical time,” the statement added. “
“It’s time for Governor Cuomo to step down.”
In response, Assembly Chairman Carl Heastie (D-Bronx) said, “In light of allegations related to the governor in recent weeks, I will be meeting with conference members today about possible ways forward.”
Cuomo has faced growing calls to resign or face impeachment as the twin scandals have intensified amid a seemingly endless parade of new revelations and allegations.
The latest bombing fell on Wednesday when a report claimed that a female Cuomo staffer alleges that Cuomo put his hands under her blouse and groped her at the Executive Mansion in Albany late last year.
That report prompted Mayor Bill de Blasio to say on Thursday that Cuomo “can no longer serve as governor,” after dodging previously repeated questions whether he thought Cuomo should resign.
‘It’s not one, not two, not three, not four, not five. It’s six women who come forward, ”de Blasio told reporters at his daily press conference at City Hall.
The incident reported by the Albany Times Union on Wednesday occurred after the woman was called to Cuomo’s high-security official residence to help him troubleshoot a problem with his cell phone.
The incident reportedly took place after the woman was called to Cuomo’s high-security official residence to help him fix a problem with his cell phone, the Albany Times Union reported.
The newspaper said it withheld the woman’s name, but described her as much younger than the 63-year-old governor.
The allegations of sexual misconduct are the most serious to emerge since a former Cuomo assistant, Lindsey Boylan, 36, accused him of sexual harassment in December.
Boylan, now a Democratic candidate for the president of Manhattan, initially did not detail her claims, but last month he published an online essay claiming that Cuomo unexpectedly kissed her “on the lips” at a 2018 rally in his Manhattan office. .
That led four other women – including three former aides – to publicly accuse him of sexual harassment and other inappropriate behavior from 2000, when he was President Bill Clinton’s housing secretary.
The sexual harassment and related allegations against Cuomo are being investigated by a team of outside attorneys – including former acting Manhattan US Attorney Joon Kim – who were hired by Attorney General Letitia James Monday.
The FBI and the Brooklyn US Attorney’s Office have also launched an investigation into how the Cuomo government is handling nursing homes and other long-term care facilities during the coronavirus pandemic, sources familiar with the matter have told The Post.
Under the New York Constitution, the removal of Cuomo would require a simple majority of the 150-member assembly, made up of 106 Democrats, 43 Republicans, and one independent.
A resolution to impeach Cuomo was introduced earlier this week by Republican members of the Assembly, with minority leader Will Barclay (R-Oswego) saying that “we believe the time has come” to oust the governor from three office holders.
Cuomo’s office did not immediately answer a request for comment on Thursday, but Wednesday night the governor – who has repeatedly maintained that “I have never touched anyone inappropriately” issued a statement denying the groping allegations.
“Like I said yesterday, I’ve never done anything like it. The details of this report are heartbreaking, ”said Cuomo.
“I am not going to go into the details of this or any other allegation given the ongoing review, but I am confident in the outcome of the attorney general’s report.”
Cuomo has pledged to cooperate with the probe and urged New Yorkers not to pass judgment pending the findings.