NEW YORK Dozens of Democrats demand Cuomo resign
ALBANY, N.Y. — A lawyer for Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Thursday that she reported a groping allegation made against him to police after the woman involved declined to press charges herself.
The Times Union of Albany reported Wednesday that an unidentified aide had claimed Cuomo reached under her shirt and fondled her after summoning her to his official residence late last year. Cuomo said he never touched anyone inappropriately.
Beth Garvey, the governor’s acting counsel, said in a statement that as a matter of state policy, the woman who made the allegations was told she should contact her local police department.
“In this case the person is represented by counsel and when counsel confirmed the client did not want to make a report, the state notified the police department and gave them the attorney’s information,” Garvey said.
She said the state was obligated to do so under state law. An Albany Police Department spokesperson, Steve Smith, didn’t immediately return a message from The Associated Press seeking comment, but he told The New York Times that police had reached out to a representative for the woman and offered its services.
The possible involvement of police comes as Cuomo’s grip on power appeared increasingly tenuous.
Earlier Thursday, a group of 59 Democratic state legislators demanded Cuomo’s resignation in the wake of the allegation at the Executive Mansion.
The top Democrat in the state Assembly, Speaker Carl
Heastie, said he would caucus with members Thursday to discuss “potential paths forward” in light of mounting allegations.
In New York, the Assembly is the legislative house that could move to impeach Cuomo, who has faced multiple allegations that he made the workplace an uncomfortable place for young women with sexually suggestive remarks and behavior, including unwanted touching and a kiss.
Nineteen senators and 40 Assembly members said in a letter Thursday that it was time for Cuomo to go.
Cuomo has repeatedly said he won’t resign and urged the public to await the outcome of an investigation of his conduct by state Attorney General Letitia James.
While Cuomo has denied inappropriately touching anyone, he has apologized for comments he made to female staffers that were seen by them as flirtations.