On Sunday, New York State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins urged Governor Andrew Cuomo to resign over sexual harassment by several women. Hide New York Governor’s Office via AP caption
Toggle labeling
New York Governor’s Office via AP
On Sunday, New York State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins urged Governor Andrew Cuomo to resign over sexual harassment by several women.
New York Governor’s Office via AP
New York Democratic leaders called for Governor Andrew Cuomo’s resignation on Sunday on charges of sexual harassment and an ongoing investigation into botched number of COVID-19 deaths in state nursing homes.
Andrea Stewart-Cousins, majority leader of the New York Senate, became the highest-ranking legislator and most prominent Democrat in the state to call on Cuomo to step down.
“Every day there is a different report that stands out from government business. We have allegations of sexual harassment, a toxic work environment, the loss of credibility regarding the Covid-19 nursing home data and questions about building a major infrastructure project,” Stewart said. Cousins in a statement. “New York is still in the midst of this pandemic and still facing the social, health and economic repercussions. We must rule without daily distraction. For the good of the state, Governor Cuomo must step down.”
At least five women accused Cuomo of inappropriate behavior. In an article published Saturday, former policy and operations adviser Ana Liss said the Wall Street Journal touched Cuomo her lower back, kissed her hand and made inappropriate comments. Another former aide, Karen Hinton, told the Washington Post that Cuomo asked her personal questions in his hotel room and hugged her in a way that was “very long, too long, too tight, too intimate.”
On Sunday, congregation spokesman Carl Heastie followed Stewart’s cousins to condemn Cuomo but stopped being shy just to demand his resignation.
“The allegations made about the governor over the past few weeks have been deeply troubling and have no place in government, at work or anywhere else. I too share the opinion of the Senate Majority Leader, Stewart-Cousins, on the ability the governor to do so. ” continue to lead this state, “Heastie said in a statement.” We have many challenges to face, and I think it is time the governor gave serious thought to whether he can effectively meet the needs of the people of New York. “
Earlier, two former aides and a woman who met the governor at a wedding accused Cuomo of unwanted touch and inappropriate comments.
In a press conference on Sunday, Cuomo replied that it was “anti-democratic” for him to resign.
Cuomo said New York lawmakers “don’t override the will of the people, they can’t override elections.” He added, “I was elected by the people of New York State. I was not elected by politicians.”
He responded to Liss’s comments and said his presentation was “my way of making friendly jokes”. According to The Associated Press, Cuomo has acknowledged that societal norms have changed but said that he “never intended to make anyone feel uncomfortable”. Regarding Hinton’s allegations, Cuomo said they were not true and told reporters she was a longtime political opponent of his.
Last week, Cuomo apologized for actions that may have made others uncomfortable, but denied touching anyone inappropriately. He refused to resign and asked for an independent investigation to be carried out.
New York attorney general Letitia James is now conducting this investigation.
In addition to the allegations, in January the attorney general accused the Cuomo government of failing to adequately report COVID-19 deaths in New York nursing homes and assisted living communities. The investigation found that the number of deaths in nursing homes by New York officials may be half the actual number.
As a result, the Senate and Assembly voted Friday to revoke Cuomo of his emergency powers.
