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.

NY Assembly Ends Cuomo Impeachment Proceedings Following Resignation

'This has been a tragic chapter in our state's history'

Cuomo impeachment probe is 'nearing completion,' top Democrat says



The top Democrat in the New York State Assembly committee conducting the impeachment investigation against Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced Thursday that the investigation is "nearing completion" and that the Assembly will soon take action to impeach the governor.

New York State Assembly Judiciary Committee Chairman Charles Lavine (D) said in a statement that the law firm hired by the committee to conduct its impeachment probe has told the governor's legal team to prepare to turn over materials for Cuomo's defense.

"We write to inform you that the Committee's investigation is nearing completion and the Assembly will soon consider potential articles of impeachment against your client," the lawyers wrote to Cuomo's counsel. "Accordingly, we invite you to provide any additional evidence or written submissions that you would like the Committee to consider before its work concludes."

"To the extent that you wish to share any such materials with the Committee, please do so by no later than 5:00 pm on August 13, 2021," they advised.

Lavine announced that the Judiciary Committee will meet at the state capitol in Albany on Monday to consider its next steps.

"Counsel for the Committee have previously requested that the Governor produce relevant documents in his possession. A subpoena was subsequently issued for such material. The Committee continues to expect full compliance from the Governor," Lavine said.

These actions by the Judiciary Committee are the clearest indication yet that Democrats in the state legislature will, in fact, move to impeach the third-term governor following a bombshell report from state Attorney General Letitia James that alleges Cuomo violated federal and state law by sexually harassing at least 11 women.

Cuomo has been defiant in the face of calls to resign from nearly every prominent Democrat in New York state and President Joe Biden. He has denied all wrongdoing and accused those calling for his resignation of being political opportunists.

State lawmakers opened the impeachment probe against Cuomo in March after several of Cuomo's accusers went public with details of the alleged harassment they experienced. The probe is also considering whether the Cuomo administration covered up nursing home deaths related to COVID-19, whether he used state resources to write a book about his leadership during the pandemic, and whether the government covered up potential structural problems on the Gov. Mario M Cuomo bridge.

According to the Associated Press, at least 86 of the 150 members of the state Assembly have said they want to impeach Cuomo and remove him from office should he refuse to resign, 10 more than is necessary to pass articles of impeachment.

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said Wednesday that the governor "has lost the confidence of the Assembly Democratic majority and that he can no longer remain in office."

The Assembly can vote to impeach Cuomo with a simple majority vote. He would then be tried in the state Senate, where Democrats also hold a majority, and if convicted he would be removed from office and possibly barred from ever holding statewide political office in New York again. If he is removed or resigns, Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul will become governor.

Walls close in on Cuomo as NY prosecutors seek documents on alleged illegal conduct



New York prosecutors in Westchester County and Manhattan want to know if Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) engaged in criminal misconduct in their jurisdictions after the state attorney general released a bombshell report finding that Cuomo violated federal and state laws by sexually harassing multiple women.

On Tuesday, state Attorney General Letitia James announced the findings of an independent investigation into Cuomo's alleged misconduct. Investigators concluded that Cuomo sexually harassed 11 women, including employees, touching them without their consent and making inappropriate comments to them about their personal lives, relationships, and other explicit statements.

Responding to the report, Cuomo denied the allegations of illegal conduct in a pre-recorded video, saying that he never touched anyone inappropriately and that his comments and public conduct had been misinterpreted.

NBC News reported Wednesday that Westchester District Attorney Miriam Rocah sent a letter to the attorney general inquiring about Cuomo's reported conduct and whether he broke the law within her jurisdiction.

"I believe it is appropriate for my Office to conduct a further inquiry to determine if any of the reported conduct that is alleged to have occurred in Westchester County is criminal in nature," Rocah wrote to James.

Specifically, Rocah said that she is looking for information tied to the harassment and unwanted touching of a New York State trooper who was initially assigned to the governor's detail at his Mount Kisco, N.Y. residence, which is in Westchester County.

Rocah is requesting any investigative materials from James' office including notes, reports or transcripts involving this trooper as well as any materials involving any other alleged misconduct by the governor in Westchester. Rocah is a former legal analyst for MSNBC and a former contributor NBC News' THINK opinion section.

Rocah confirmed the report in a tweet sent Wednesday morning announcing that her office "formally requested investigative materials obtained by the AG's Office."

Statement from Westchester County District Attorney Mimi Rocah Regarding NYS Attorney General Letitia James' Final… https://t.co/qrbau6eAyb

— DA Mimi Rocah (@WestchesterDA) 1628086987.0

A spokesman for Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance told NBC News on Wednesday that his office is also looking into reports of Cuomo's illegal behavior and seeking materials from James' office.

"When our office learned yesterday that the Attorney General's investigation of the Governor's conduct was complete, our office contacted the Attorney General's Office to begin requesting investigative materials in their possession pertaining to incidents that occurred in Manhattan," the spokesman said.

The walls are closing in on Cuomo as prosecutors look for more information on his alleged illegal conduct and Democratic officials from the state legislature all the way to the White House are calling for his resignation.

Should he refuse to resign, the Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday that Democrats in the state Assembly have plans to add James' 165-page report on Cuomo's behavior to the evidence already collected in an ongoing impeachment probe. The Democratic majority in the legislature has reportedly reached a consensus opinion that Cuomo is no longer fit for office.

"It is abundantly clear to me that the governor has lost the confidence of the Assembly Democratic majority and that he can no longer remain in office," Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (D) said.

The speaker controls legislative activity in the House and said the impeachment inquiry will conclude as quickly as possible.