'Message Clear' Cuomo Should Resign: Suffolk Democratic Majority

Patchogue NY

04 August, 2021

3:24 PM

Description

HAUPPAUGE, NY — Members of the Suffolk County Democratic majority caucus joined with other prominent Dems in calling for the resignation of Gov. Andrew Cuomo following Attorney General Letitia James' release of a report containing scathing details about the investigation into the sexual harassment allegations against him. In a statement released Wednesday by the office of Presiding Officer Rob Calarco, he and seven other lawmakers say the "message is clear" that Cuomo should resign. "To quote Attorney General James, 'The report speaks for itself,'" the statement read, before continuing to describe the investigation findings "overwhelming." The lawmakers go on to say "no one is above the law." "We deeply thank and commend the strong women who have come forward," the statement continued. "We hear you and we stand with you. Governor Cuomo must resign." Members of the caucus also include: Deputy Presiding Officer Kara HahnLegis. Al KrupskiLegis. Bridget FlemingLegis. Sarah AnkerLegis. Samuel GonzalezLegis. Jason RichbergLegis. Tom Donnelly Majority Leader Susan Berland recused herself because her husband has a high-ranking position on the state's Joint Commission on Public Ethics, Calarco's office said. When asked for comment about the calls for his resignation, Cuomo's office referred a reporter to a pre-recorded video and an accompanying transcript that addresses the report's findings. On the future, Cuomo said: "I will not be distracted." He went on to say that he would continue adressing the "covid beast." James on Monday said that Cuomo sexually harassed multiple women in violation of federal and state law. New York State Attorney General Letitia James speaks at a press conference, Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021, in New York. An investigation found that New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed multiple women in and out of state government and worked to retaliate against one of his accusers, James announced Tuesday. Attorneys Joon Kim, right, and Anne L. Clark, lead investigators, listen. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey) As part of a five-month investigation, two independent attorneys interviewed 179 people who said employees, including current and former members of Cuomo's executive chamber, state troopers, and other state employees, reported a "hostile work environment" that was "rife with fear and intimidation," James said. The investigators, led by Joon H. Kim and Anne L. Clark, reported Cuomo harassed multiple women by engaging in unwanted groping, kissing, and hugging, and also made inappropriate comments, James' office said. In his pre-recorded message, Cuomo denied the allegations, saying, "I want you to know, directly from me: I never touched anyone inappropriately or made inappropriate sexual advances...That is not who I am or who I have ever been." Cuomo, who was interviewed by investigators two weeks ago, said he never harassed or assaulted anyone back in March. "I never assaulted anyone," he said. "I never abused anyone. I'm not going to resign."