24 September 2021: NY Atty General Defends Findings in Cuomo Sexual Harassment Report

Attorney General Letitia James shrugs off Cuomo-ally criticisms

Andrew M. Cuomo and his loyalist dead-ender supporters have been attacking New York State Attorney General Letitia "Tish" James for months. With her office's blockbuster report on Cuomo's alleged sexual harassment of multiple women now well in the past, she has finally addressed their continuing claims. The following excerpt focuses on her comments:

“I think the report speaks for itself and these are nothing more than attempts to undermine the independence and legitimacy of the report,” James told reporters Thursday night in Albany at the New York State Museum, as allies of the ex-pol have redoubled attacks on the report, sharing a Cuomo-friendly opinion piece that likened the AG’s analysis to a political “coup.”

“It was done by two professionals who are widely respected, and unfortunately, the report indicates that the environment in the office of the former governor was toxic and hostile. And I believe women and women spoke the truth,” she noted.

She said that her report was also credible enough for five district attorneys to launch their own criminal investigations into allegations of the former governor as the “evidence was overwhelming.”

Plus, she added, Cuomo asked her to open an inquiry into his conduct back last spring when the first of several allegations were made public.

“All that I did was, again, it was a referral made to my office by the governor of the state of New York, former Governor Cuomo. I put my head down and I did my work, and for me to do anything otherwise would,again, undermine the trust of my office and the independence of my office. I was elected to serve the residents of the great state of New York. And that is exactly what I did.”

The "coup" article referenced in this report is an op-ed piece by David Pikus, which appeared in Newsday on 23 September 2021, which the timeline hasn't covered since it falls outside our main areas of focus. As we found no similar op-ed appearing in support of former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer, who was forced to resign to avoid criminal prosecution by then New York State Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo who was investigating charges of soliciting prostitution involving Spitzer, we lumped it into the "pure partisan politics with no redeeming qualities" category.

Speaking of politics, James also indicates in the report she's happy in the state attorney general role as she was asked about running for governor. While she doesn't close the door on running for governor in 2022, we would describe her response as similar to those of most politicians when asked about their future ambitions. It's more in line with her setting herself up to be considered as an emergency backup candidate if the electability prospects of the frontrunner (currently replacement Governor Kathy Hochul) were to flame out for some reason.