Joe Biden Calls On New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo To Resign

President Joe Biden called on New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) to
resign Tuesday after an explosive report concluded that Cuomo
sexually harassed multiple women.

“I think he should resign,” Biden said at a press
conference.

New York state Attorney General Letitia James released a
165-page report on Cuomo Tuesday, the work an independent
investigation into harassment claims.

James said the investigation found that Cuomo “sexually harassed
current and former New York State employees by engaging in
unwelcome and non-consensual touching and making numerous offensive
comments of a suggestive and sexual nature that created a hostile
work environment for women.”

Investigators also concluded that Cuomo and his senior team
retaliated against one accuser.

Cuomo was defiant Tuesday. He recorded a statement ― allowing
for no questions from reporters ― making clear he intends to stay
in office and fight the allegations, which he denied. He portrayed
himself as a feminist hero and a champion of women, claiming that
his concern and caring nature were just misunderstood.

Long seen as one of the most powerful governors and figures in
the Democratic Party, Cuomo is known as a combative bully who has a
grip on state politics and who took on former President Donald
Trump. He received acclaim for his response to the coronavirus
pandemic ― and even prematurely wrote a book about his supposed
triumph. But his bullying caught up to him, and he has had few
defenders as his scandals have built up.

In addition to the sexual harassment allegations, Cuomo has had
to beat back outrage that his administration hid the number of
COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes.

In March, Biden said he believed Cuomo should resign if the
harassment allegations against him were confirmed to be true.

“I think he’ll probably end up being prosecuted, too,” Biden
added at the time.

Last year, The New York Times said Biden and Cuomo had
cultivated “a personal friendship that has grown into a crucial
political alliance,” sharing a long history in the Democratic Party
and a reputation for more moderate politics.

Nine women accused Cuomo of sexual harassment and inappropriate
comments earlier this year, sparking the investigation. There are
also two new allegations in the attorney general’s report,
including one from a state trooper who was assigned to protect the
governor. She told investigators that the governor inappropriately
touched her and made “sexually suggestive and gender-based
comments.”

Another woman alleged that Cuomo groped her under her blouse
last year at the governor’s mansion.

James hired two outside lawyers to run the investigation. They
spent months interviewing his accusers and staff members, speaking
with 179 people in total. They also interviewed the governor
himself under oath for 11 hours.

James said Tuesday that while Cuomo’s behavior violated state
and federal law, the report did not reach a conclusion on whether
Cuomo’s conduct should lead to criminal prosecution.

Cuomo may face impeachment in the state Legislature, with
lawmakers already drawing up articles and calling for proceedings
to begin.

Multiple high-profile lawmakers, including House Speaker Nancy
Pelosi (D-Calif.), Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.)
and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) called on Cuomo to step down
on Tuesday.

huffpost.

President Joe Biden called on New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) to
resign Tuesday after an explosive report concluded that Cuomo
sexually harassed multiple women.

“I think he should resign,” Biden said at a press
conference.

New York state Attorney General Letitia James released a
165-page report on Cuomo Tuesday, the work an independent
investigation into harassment claims.

James said the investigation found that Cuomo “sexually harassed
current and former New York State employees by engaging in
unwelcome and non-consensual touching and making numerous offensive
comments of a suggestive and sexual nature that created a hostile
work environment for women.”

Investigators also concluded that Cuomo and his senior team
retaliated against one accuser.

Cuomo was defiant Tuesday. He recorded a statement ― allowing
for no questions from reporters ― making clear he intends to stay
in office and fight the allegations, which he denied. He portrayed
himself as a feminist hero and a champion of women, claiming that
his concern and caring nature were just misunderstood.

Long seen as one of the most powerful governors and figures in
the Democratic Party, Cuomo is known as a combative bully who has a
grip on state politics and who took on former President Donald
Trump. He received acclaim for his response to the coronavirus
pandemic ― and even prematurely wrote a book about his supposed
triumph. But his bullying caught up to him, and he has had few
defenders as his scandals have built up.

In addition to the sexual harassment allegations, Cuomo has had
to beat back outrage that his administration hid the number of
COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes.

In March, Biden said he believed Cuomo should resign if the
harassment allegations against him were confirmed to be true.

“I think he’ll probably end up being prosecuted, too,” Biden
added at the time.

Last year, The New York Times said Biden and Cuomo had
cultivated “a personal friendship that has grown into a crucial
political alliance,” sharing a long history in the Democratic Party
and a reputation for more moderate politics.

Nine women accused Cuomo of sexual harassment and inappropriate
comments earlier this year, sparking the investigation. There are
also two new allegations in the attorney general’s report,
including one from a state trooper who was assigned to protect the
governor. She told investigators that the governor inappropriately
touched her and made “sexually suggestive and gender-based
comments.”

Another woman alleged that Cuomo groped her under her blouse
last year at the governor’s mansion.

James hired two outside lawyers to run the investigation. They
spent months interviewing his accusers and staff members, speaking
with 179 people in total. They also interviewed the governor
himself under oath for 11 hours.

James said Tuesday that while Cuomo’s behavior violated state
and federal law, the report did not reach a conclusion on whether
Cuomo’s conduct should lead to criminal prosecution.

Cuomo may face impeachment in the state Legislature, with
lawmakers already drawing up articles and calling for proceedings
to begin.

Multiple high-profile lawmakers, including House Speaker Nancy
Pelosi (D-Calif.), Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.)
and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) called on Cuomo to step down
on Tuesday.

huffpost.