NY State Assembly report details extensive wrongdoing by ex-Gov Andrew Cuomo, says he was 'not fully transparent regarding the number of nursing home residents who died as a result of COVID-19'
An investigation into former Gov. Andrew Cuomo by the New York State Assembly Judiciary Committee found that there is "overwhelming evidence that the former governor engaged in sexual harassment."
The Judiciary Committee released a report Monday that detailed the findings of its probe into the sexual harassment case brought against Cuomo, as well as COVID-19 nursing home deaths, ethics concerns regarding the publication of his book, and allegations that he covered up safety concerns at Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge.
More than 600,000 pages of documents, including photographs, text messages, emails, and more were reviewed by the investigators, the Judiciary Committee said. More than 200 people were contacted for interviews and/or deposition materials.
The investigators found that Cuomo "engaged in multiple instances of sexual harassment, including by creating a hostile work environment and engaging in sexual misconduct."
Cuomo also "utilized state resources and property, including work by Executive Chamber staff, to write, publish, and promote his book regarding his handling of the COVID-19 crisis — a project for which he was guaranteed at least $5.2 million in personal profit; and at the same time."
Additionally, the report concluded Cuomo was "not fully transparent regarding the number of nursing home residents who died as a result of COVID-19."
The Committee report confirms reporting that Cuomo ordered state Department of Health officials to prepare a report combatting criticism of his March 25 executive order to place COVID-19 patients in nursing homes. Investigators also found that Cuomo personally reviewed and edited the draft report multiple times and used misleading data to strengthen its defense of his actions.
NEW: The NY Assembly Judiciary Committee has released its report on former Gov. Andrew Cuomo.\n\nIts conclusions:pic.twitter.com/lpwq4KUSUU— Jon Campbell (@Jon Campbell) 1637590525
"As noted, we are mindful of the ongoing law enforcement interests into several of the matters covered in this report. We have prepared this report with those interests in mind and we are cooperating with any such investigations," the investigators wrote.
They also noted that Cuomo and his lawyers "refus[ed] to comply in any meaningful way with the Committee's requests and subpoenas, despite public pledges of his cooperation on numerous occasions."
The report was completed by lawyers from Davis Polk & Wardwell, LLP, who were contracted by the Assembly to investigate the multiple corruption allegations made against the Democratic governor as part of an impeachment probe ordered in March 2021 by Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (D-Bronx).
"The former governor's conduct – as shown in this report – is extremely disturbing and is indicative of someone who is not fit for office," said Judiciary Committee Chairman Charles Lavine (D-Glen Cove). "I hope this report helps New Yorkers further understand the seriousness of the allegations that have been made and serves to guide us to a more ethical and responsible government. New Yorkers deserve no less."
Though he denied all accusations of wrongdoing, Cuomo resigned from office in August amid calls for his impeachment after an independent investigation by NY Attorney General Letitia James' office concluded he sexually harassed several women and created a hostile work environment. The governor's resignation prompted state lawmakers to suspend impeachment proceedings against him, though the Assembly promised to release a report detailing its findings.
In October, the Albany County sheriff's office filed a criminal charge against Cuomo stemming from an allegation in the attorney general's report that he groped former aide Britany Commisso at the executive mansion in 2019.
CNN admits Chris Cuomo wrongly participated in strategy calls with his brother, Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who is accused of sexual harassment
CNN anchor Chris Cuomo inappropriately participated in conference calls with his brother, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D), and the governor's staff, giving advice on how the governor should respond to multiple allegations of sexual harassment levied by several women earlier this year, the Washington Post reported Thursday.
CNN admitted in a statement that Cuomo, one of the network's leading anchors, participated in the strategy calls with the New York governor's top advisers and said it was wrong for him to do so.
"Chris has not been involved in CNN's extensive coverage of the allegations against Governor Cuomo — on air or behind the scenes," the network told the Post. "In part because, as he has said on his show, he could never be objective. But also because he often serves as a sounding board for his brother.
"However, it was inappropriate to engage in conversations that included members of the Governor's staff, which Chris acknowledges," the statement added. "He will not participate in such conversations going forward."
While anchoring his nightly news program on CNN, Cuomo "joined a series of conference calls that included the Democratic governor's top aide, his communications team, lawyers and a number of outside advisers," according to anonymous sources who spoke to the Post.
The calls happened earlier this year as scandal erupted around the governor, who is accused of non-consensual touching or making unwanted sexual advances towards aides who worked in his office and other women.
The governor vehemently denied the allegations against him and has resisted calls to resign from Democratic lawmakers and lashed out at his opponents, vowing not to bow to "cancel culture." He said he apologizes if he unintentionally made some women feel uncomfortable, but denies that "feeling uncomfortable" is equivalent to sexual harassment. A 2019 law Cuomo signed defines sexual harassment as "unwelcome verbal or physical behavior based on a person's gender."
At least part of the governor's defiant response seems to be a strategy suggested by his younger brother, the cable news anchor.
Chris Cuomo reportedly "encouraged his brother to take a defiant position and not to resign from the governor's office," the Post reported. "At one point, he used the phrase 'cancel culture' as a reason to hold firm in the face of the allegations, two people present on one call said."
CNN, which has happily provided a propaganda platform for the New York governor on "Cuomo Prime Time," said their anchor Cuomo will not face disciplinary action for this violation of journalistic norms.
Gov. Cuomo's conduct is currently under investigation by the state attorney general and the state Assembly. Cuomo has announced that he would seek re-election in 2022.
Gov. Cuomo says 'feeling uncomfortable' isn't harassment, contradicting harassment law he signed
Facing allegations of sexual misconduct from multiple women, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) attempted to defend himself Thursday, saying that making someone "feel uncomfortable" is not harassment.
During a news conference, City & State NY reporter Rebecca Lewis asked the governor about the statement he made after Charlotte Bennett, a former Cuomo aide, accused her ex-boss of making inappropriate sexual advances toward her.
"I never meant to make anyone feel uncomfortable," Cuomo said in response. "I never said anything that I believe is inappropriate. You can leave this press conference today and say, 'Oh, the governor harassed me.' I would say I never said anything that I believed was inappropriate. I never meant to make you feel that way. You may hear it that way, you may interpret it that way. And I respect that, and I apologize to you if I said something that you think is offensive."
But Lewis pressed him on the legal definition of sexual harassment, saying, "The harasser's intention doesn't matter. You can apologize if you make someone feel uncomfortable. I'm just wondering — do you acknowledge that, according to the law, it doesn't matter?"
"Harassment is not making someone feel uncomfortable," Cuomo insisted. "That is not harassment. If I just made you feel uncomfortable, that is not harassment. That's you feeling uncomfortable."
This exchange between Cuomo and my City & State colleague Rebecca Lewis is a great example of why he was avoiding i… https://t.co/XrcoMY3YTN
— Zach Williams (@ZachReports) 1620930075.0
Cuomo's response raised eyebrows in the room and drew condemnation from anti-sexual harassment activists and Bennett, one of his accusers.
"When @NYGovCuomo propositioned me for sex, he broke the law," Bennett said. "It is very simple: the issue is about his actions, it is not about my feelings. He broke the law (you know, the one he signed). Apologies don't fix that, and neither do denials."
In 2019, Cuomo signed a sweeping law that strengthened protections against sexual harassment and lowered the bar for a victim to prove harassment took place. The law defines sexual harassment as "unwelcome verbal or physical behavior based on a person's gender."
When @NYGovCuomo propositioned me for sex, he broke the law. It is very simple: the issue is about his actions, it… https://t.co/gFzPjOEPz6
— Charlotte Bennett (@_char_bennett_) 1620924891.0
The Sexual Harassment Working Group, an activist organization comprised of former New York legislative staffers that fights harassment in the state Capitol, issued a statement blasting Cuomo's "self-delusion."
"Today Andrew Cuomo's self-delusion reached impressive new heights & our response is very simple: Just because you believe you can't make anyone 'feel' harassed by your actions, doesn't make it legally true. If the Governor tried that before a judge he'd get laughed out of court," the group said. "We accept his original confirmation of Charlotte Bennett's account of him breaking the New York Human Rights Law he signed, by creating a hostile work environment and grooming her for sex."
"We eagerly await the Attorney General's investigation and look forward to the Governor being held accountable for his actions: Not anyone's feelings," the group added. "We are not going away and Cuomo will not silence victims."
Cuomo faces accusations of sexual harassment from nearly a dozen women following the first accusation from Lindsey Boylan, a former aide. State Attorney General Letitia James (D) opened an investigation into the allegations earlier this year. At the same time, Cuomo is also under investigation for allegedly covering up nursing home deaths, tying vaccine access to political support, and misusing state resources to write and promote his pandemic book.
The New York State Assembly has also opened an impeachment inquiry into Cuomo, though Republicans have criticized what they say is a "stalled" investigation that has only provided two updates since it began more than two months ago.
NYT bombshell report says Andrew Cuomo's COVID death coverup was much worse than previously known
A New York Times report says the coverup of coronavirus deaths at New York nursing homes by Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) and his administration was much worse than previously known.
The bombshell report was published on Wednesday and relied on new interviews and documents obtained by the Times.
Cuomo has faced a barrage of criticism over the order in March 2020 that was issued while the pandemic raged in New York City. The order sent coronavirus patients to receive medical treatment at nursing homes among a demographic at high risk from the virus. Officials later admitted that thousands died after the order but even that initial report was underreported, it was later discovered.
The Times report further exacerbated the scandal for Cuomo, who has also been plagued by numerous sexual harassment accusations.
Aides to the governor reportedly continued to cover up the true number of coronavirus deaths in nursing homes from state medical officials for at least five months. One report released to the public made New York appear to have a better rate than other states by counting virus deaths in nursing homes in a misleading manner.
During that time, Cuomo was actively publicizing his book that lauded his "leadership" in response to the coronavirus pandemic in his state. He received a multimillion dollar advance and the book was a bestseller.
The devastating report charges that a scientific report with a more accurate number of the deaths was never sent, while other reports meant for state legislators were also withheld.
New York state attorney general Letitia James is investigating the nursing home scandal in addition to the accusations of sexual harassment against Cuomo. The State Assembly is also conducting an impeachment inquiry against the Democrat.
Cuomo's office replies
An attorney for Cuomo's office responded to the Times report and downplayed its significance.
"The whole brouhaha here is overblown to the point where there are cynical suggestions offered for the plain and simple truth that the chamber wanted only to release accurate information that they believed was totally unassailable," said attorney Elkan Abramowitz.
"The chamber was never satisfied that the numbers that they were getting from D.O.H. were accurate," he added.
Abramowitz also said that the failure to report death statistics had nothing to do with the book Cuomo was publishing at the time.
Here's more about the bombshell NYT report:
NYT Reports Cuomo's Senior Aides Hid Nursing Home Deathswww.youtube.com
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