More than 55 Democratic state lawmakers on Thursday called for the resignation of Gov. Andrew Cuomo, and the Speaker of the Assembly said he would hold a meeting later in the day “for potential ways forward.”
Cuomo’s fellow Democrats’ statement mentioned both allegations of sexual harassment against him and the cover-up of the total number of deaths in nursing homes and said that “it has lost the trust of the public and the state legislature, which which makes it ineffective in this time of most urgent need. “
“We have a lieutenant governor who can step in and lead the rest of the term, and that is best for New Yorkers at this critical time,” the statement added. “
“It’s time for Governor Cuomo to resign.”
In response, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (D-Bronx) said: “In light of allegations about the governor in recent weeks, today I will be meeting with members at a conference on possible paths to come in”.
Cuomo has faced growing calls to resign or face dismissal, as twin scandals have intensified amid an apparent endless parade of new revelations and allegations.
The latest bombing landed on Wednesday when a report alleged that a woman on Cuomo’s staff claims Cuomo put her hands under her blouse and palpated her late last year at Albany’s executive mansion. .
That report led Mayor Bill de Blasio to say Thursday that Cuomo “can no longer serve as governor,” after repeatedly dodging questions about whether he believed Cuomo should resign.
“It’s not one, it’s not two, it’s not three, it’s not four, it’s not five. There are six women who will show up, ”Blasio told reporters during the City Council’s daily press conference.
The incident reported Wednesday by the Albany Times Union allegedly took place after the woman was summoned to Cuomo’s official residence, heavily guarded, to help him fix a cell phone problem.
The incident allegedly took place after the woman was summoned to the official residence of Cuomo, heavily guarded, to help him solve a problem with the mobile phone, according to the Albany Times Union.
The newspaper said he retained the woman’s name, but described her as much younger than the 63-year-old governor.
Allegations of sexual misconduct are the most serious since a former Cuomo aide, Lindsey Boylan, 36, accused him of sexual harassment in December.
Boylan, now a Democratic candidate for president of the Manhattan district, did not initially detail her claims, but last month published an online essay alleging Cuomo kissed her unexpectedly “on the lips” during a 2018 meeting at his office. of Manhattan.
This led to four other women, including three former aides, publicly accusing her of sexual harassment and other misconduct dating back to 2000, when she was President Bill Clinton’s housing secretary.
Sexual harassment and related allegations against Cuomo are being investigated by a team of outside attorneys, including former Manhattan acting prosecutor Joon Kim, who was hired Monday by state Attorney General Letitia James.
The FBI and the Brooklyn Prosecutor’s Office (USA) have also launched an investigation into the Cuomo administration’s handling of nursing homes and other long-term care centers during the coronavirus pandemic, they reported. in The Post known sources.
Under the New York Constitution, the removal of Cuomo would require a simple majority vote in the Assembly of 150 member states, consisting of 106 Democrats, 43 Republicans and one independent.
Earlier this week, Republican members of the Assembly tabled a resolution accusing Cuomo, and minority leader Will Barclay (R-Oswego) said “we think the time has come” to remove the governor. of three terms.
Cuomo’s office did not immediately return any request for comment Thursday, but on Wednesday evening the governor, who has repeatedly insisted that “I never touched anyone inappropriately,” issued a statement denying allegations of palpation.
“As I said yesterday, I have never done anything like this. The details of this report are heartbreaking, ”Cuomo said.
“I will not talk about 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 investigation and has urged New Yorkers to suspend the trial pending its findings.