New York Attorney General Letitia James announced the two attorneys who will lead the state’s investigation into allegations of sexual harassment against Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
Former acting U.S Attorney for the Southern District of New York Joon Kim and employment discrimination attorney Anne Clark will lead the investigation into Cuomo, according to a press release issued on Monday.
“We are committed to an independent and thorough investigation of the facts,” James said. “Joon H. Kim and Anne L. Clark are independent, legal experts who have decades of experience conducting investigations and fighting to uphold the rule of law. There is no question that they both have the knowledge and background necessary to lead this investigation and provide New Yorkers with the answers they deserve.”
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James, a Democrat, first called for an investigation into Cuomo after the first two accusers, Lindsey Boylan and Charlotte Bennett, stepped forward.
“Allegations of sexual harassment should always be taken seriously,” James said in a statement on Feb. 28. “There must be a truly independent investigation to thoroughly review these troubling allegations against the governor, and I stand ready to oversee that investigation and make any appointments necessary.”
Cuomo, who has continuously denied any wrongdoing, granted James authorization to begin the inquiry, with Cuomo’s special counsel, Beth Garvey, issuing the referral.
Cuomo has spent days fending off several allegations of sexual misconduct, most from former staffers. New accusers came forth Saturday night, and the governor now faces mounting pressure to resign from within his own party, with Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie calling for Cuomo’s resignation on Sunday.
On Monday, Republicans in the New York Assembly announced an impeachment resolution against the governor spearheaded by Assembly Republican Leader Will Barclay, who said Cuomo “lost so much credibility and trust that [lawmakers] don’t feel like he can go forward and govern.”
Cuomo has apologized for making any of the women feel uncomfortable, but he denied some of the specific allegations of sexual misconduct and, more generally, any inappropriate touching. The governor is also facing a growing COVID-19 nursing home scandal, which is under federal investigation.
Cuomo has repeatedly resisted calls to resign.
“There is no way I resign,” he said on Sunday.
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Cuomo is up for reelection in 2022. He indicated in 2019 that he intended to run for a fourth term.
