Lawmakers, AG push; Cuomo relents
A timeline of how elected officials responded to calls for an independent investigation of sexual harassment allegations against Gov. Andrew Cuomo:
SATURDAY
6:30 p.m.: The New York Times posts its story detailing the allegations of former aide Charlotte Bennett, 25; another former staffer, Lindsey Boylan, had published an essay Wednesday laying out her own harassment claims.
4:40 p.m.: Cuomo’s office says in a statement, “[T]he governor has requested an independent review and all staff will cooperate in that endeavor. Former Federal Judge Barbara Jones will lead the review.”
7:15 p.m.: Senate Democratic Leader Andrea Stewart-cousins says a “truly independent investigation must begin immediately.” Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie later says Attorney General Letitia James should “make an appointment” to ensure an independent probe.
SUNDAY
■ 11 a.m.: Twenty-five Democratic assemblywomen release a statement rejecting Cuomo’s proposal and calling on him to make a referral to the attorney general’s office empowering James to investigate.
■ 11:30 a.m.: James issues formal request for a referral from Cuomo. Almost simultaneously, Cuomo’s office releases a statement scuttling Jones’ participation and asking James and state Chief Judge Janet Difiore to “jointly” select an outside attorney to conduct a “review.”
2:30 p.m.: James shoots down the governor’s fallback plan: “While I have deep respect for Chief Judge Difiore, I am the duly elected attorney general and it is my responsibility to carry out this task, per Executive Law.”
5:30 p.m.: Cuomo’s office changes terms again, saying that James has been asked “to select a qualified private lawyer” who will be designated as a special independent deputy attorney general.