3 August 2021: What Will the NY Assembly Do With the AG's Findings of Cuomo Misconduct?

Assembly investigation on Cuomo sexual harassment accusations

This report provides early information on how impeachment proceedings might go forward based on New York Attorney General Letitia James' findings of Andrew M. Cuomo's sexual harassment misconduct.

A committee of about 20 people in the NYS Assembly is currently investigating the sexual harassment allegations of New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo. The assembly had over 200 individuals come forward.

“With the report that came out today, we will meet as a conference to determine next steps. Clearly there are state and federal laws that have been violated and to expedite it without jeopardizing each individual that deserves to speak that has come forward to the assembly.” -Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon

Based on the sexual harassment accusations, if the assembly finds that Cuomo should be impeached, the next step will be to go to the senate.

But will the Assembly act in a timely way to move impeachment proceedings forward? Statements made by NY Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie suggest he may be okay with the sexual harassment allegations going unaddressed and continuing to slow walk the impeachment process.

Impeach Cuomo? State Assembly minority conference calls for emergency session

Despite Heastie's desire to slow walk the NY Assembly's impeachment process, other elected lawmakers in NY are ready to go forward with an emergency session to move the impeachment of Andrew M. Cuomo into the trial phase in New York's state senate. Here's an excerpt from this report:

New York State Minority Conference Assemblymembers are calling on Speaker Carl Heastie to convene an emergency special session for the “purpose of holding an immediate vote to impeach Gov. Andrew Cuomo.”

Detailing an independent report conducted through her office, New York Attorney General Letitia James said Cuomo did sexually harass multiple women, including former and current state employees, and found that the Cuomo administration was a “hostile work environment” and that it was “rife with fear and intimidation.”

“The investigation into sexual harassment allegations and report issued Tuesday by Attorney General Letitia James confirm the governor acted in a reckless and repugnant manner unfit for the highest office of the state,” Minority Leader Will Barclay wrote in a letter to Heastie.

The ball is in NY Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie's court, so to speak.