Lawmakers to consider if Cuomo can be impeached
NEW YORK — New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who resigned Tuesday in the aftermath of multiple sexual-harassment allegations, may still face impeachment if only to keep him from running for office again.
The state Assembly Judiciary Committee, which has been considering whether it had enough evidence to proceed with impeachment of the three-term Democrat, is scheduled to meet Aug. 16 to discuss “what, if any, role there is anymore,” said committee member David Weprin, a Democrat.
On Monday, committee Chairman Charles Lavine said an impeachment would be “moot”ifcuomoweretoresign before their investigation drew to a close. “But, there would be the opportunity in the court of impeachment to prohibit him from ever occupying statewide office,” he had said.
Cuomo announced his resignation a day after committee members pledged to soon wrap up their five-month investigation. In addition to the harassment claims, lawmakers were considering whether the Cuomo administration covered up COVID19
nursing-home deaths, provided relatives with virus testing before it was available, mishandled construction of the Mario Cuomo Bridge and misused public resources for a $5 million leadership book.
Last week, state Attorney General Letitia James ended an investigation that lodged 11 harassment claims against Cuomo.theassemblyplanned to use some of the evidence in theirowninvestigation.cuomo, 63, has denied any wrongdoing, but plans to step down in 14 days to avoid distraction and “let government get back to government,” he said.
Meanwhile, Lt. Gov Kathy
Hochul, 62, said Wednesday she was ready to steer the state and would set a different tone than Cuomo.
“While it was not expected, it is a day for which I am prepared,” said Hochul, who has held multiple offices but is unfamiliar to many New Yorkers.
She said she would change the work culture in the state’s top office. She is set to become the state’s first female governor, following a remarkable transition period in which Cuomo has said he will work to ease her into a job that he dominated over his three terms in office.