ALBANY, NY (AP) – New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has asked the state’s attorney general and chief justice of the appeals court to jointly appoint an independent attorney to investigate allegations he sexually harassed at least two women who worked for him.
It was unclear whether the proposal would appease legislative leaders and other front-line Democrats who had attacked Cuomo’s initial plan to appoint a retired federal judge to review his work conduct.
“The governor’s office wants a review of sexual harassment claims made against the governor irreproachable,” said Beth Garvey, the governor’s special counsel. “We had selected former federal judge Barbara Jones, with a stellar track record of qualifications and integrity, but we want to avoid even the perception of a lack of independence or inference from politics.”
Garvey said the Democratic governor’s administration has asked Attorney General Letitia James and Janet DiFiore, chief justice of the Court of Appeals, to jointly select “an independent, qualified private law attorney with no political affiliation to do so.” a thorough review of the matter and issue a public report “.
Garvey said this report will be monitored only by the lawyer doing the review.
The administration’s proposal came almost simultaneously with a statement from James asking Cuomo to issue an executive order that would put it in exclusive control of the investigation. She said that such a derivation would allow subpoenas to be issued, which can be applied to the courts.
“There has to be a truly independent investigation to thoroughly review these troubling allegations against the governor, and I am willing to oversee that investigation and make any necessary appointments,” James said. “I urge the governor to make this referral immediately.”
The plan was for James and DiFiore, jointly appointed by Cuomo to jointly choose a researcher, to face a cascade of criticism from fellow Democrats calling for James to relinquish all control of the investigation.
Under state law, the state attorney general needs a referral from the governor to investigate his conduct.
A spokesman for James considered Cuomo’s idea of simply giving him a role in the selection of the investigator unacceptable because that inquisitor lacks the ability to cite witnesses and documents and should rely on voluntary cooperation.
State Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins, a Senate Majority Leader and Democrat from suburban Westchester County, said through her spokeswoman, “We support the GA and its call for referrals.”
The crisis surrounding Cuomo’s office unfolded quickly after a second woman was made public on Saturday with a story about the governor’s harassment in the workplace.
Charlotte Bennett, a low-level aide to the governor’s administration until November, told the New York Times that Cuomo was asking him inappropriate questions. about her sex life, including if she ever had sex with older men.
His indictment came days after another former aide, Lindsey Boylan, a former deputy secretary of economic development and the governor’s special adviser, turned to the allegations of harassment she filed in December. Boylan said Cuomo subjected her to an unwanted kiss and inappropriate comments.
Cuomo, 63, said Saturday in a statement that he intended to mentor Bennett, who is 25. He has denied Boylan’s allegations.
A group of more than a dozen women Democrats in the state assembly said in a statement, “The governor’s proposal to appoint someone who is not elected independently has no citation authority and no tax authority is inadequate.”
Sen. Brad Hoylman, a Manhattan Democrat, said on Twitter: “As chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I think it is totally inappropriate for Chief Justice DiFiore, who was appointed by the governor and would have a constitutional role in possible future procedures. – be part of the research process “.
Senator Todd Kaminsky, a Long Island Democrat, tweeted, “The New York Attorney General should not need a referral to initiate a criminal investigation. This is an issue I have been working on for some time and I will introduce the legislation tomorrow.”
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Matthews reported from New York City.