Investigation of Cuomo to be suspended

ALBANY, N.Y. — The New York state Assembly will suspend its investigation of Gov. Andrew Cuomo once he steps down after its leaders concluded they didn’t have the authority to impeach a departed official, the chamber’s top Democrat said Friday.

Cuomo announced Tuesday that he planned to resign over sexual harassment allegations as it became clear he was almost certain to be impeached by the Legislature. He said his resignation was effective in 14 days, at which point he will be replaced by Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul.

Some lawmakers had urged the Assembly to press on with an impeachment proceeding, perhaps to bar Cuomo from holding state office in the future if he attempted a political comeback.

But Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said in a statement that lawyers had advised the Legislature’s judiciary committee that lawmakers lack the constitutional authority to do so.

Heastie provided reporters with that unsigned legal memo, which said the “question has not been definitely answered” but that lawmakers “probably” lack the power.”

The state attorney general last week released an independent investigation that concluded Cuomo sexually harassed at least 11 women.

“This evidence — we believe — could likely have resulted in articles of impeachment had he not resigned,” Heastie said.

Cuomo’s office and his lawyer, Rita Glavin, didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.