Heastie calls for quick impeachment probe, says ‘no one should have to endure’ alleged Cuomo behavior
The state Assembly plans to wrap up its impeachment investigation of Gov. Andrew Cuomo “with all due haste” in the wake of last week’s explosive sexual harassment report, Speaker Carl Heastie said Monday.
“No one should have to endure the type of behavior detailed in the attorney general’s report,” Heastie (D-Bronx) said during a news conference in Albany.
“Future generations will look to us and how we conduct ourselves in this moment,” said Heastie, who would not commit to a timeline for a vote, but said the articles of impeachment would be drafted in the next few weeks.
Heastie said Attorney General Letitia James had provided the Judiciary Committee with “a lot” of the evidence it amassed against the three-term Democrat but still has more to deliver.
Judiciary Committee Chairman Charles Lavine (D-Nassau) also said a wide-ranging investigation by the committee’s outside lawyers was continuing into other allegations against Cuomo, including whether he improperly used state resources to write his memoir, “American Crisis: Leadership Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic.”
“And that’s quote, unquote,” Lavine said after repeating the title of the book, for which Cuomo struck a $5.1 million publishing deal.
The committee had “detailed discussions” with its outside lawyers about Cuomo’s book deal on Monday — possibly also spelling trouble for former top aide Melissa DeRosa, who resigned Sunday night, a source told The Post.
“The committee has access to evidence, including emails from Melissa DeRosa, regarding instructions she gave to the staff in the governor’s office to help with the manuscript for Cuomo’s book being pitched to publishers,” the source said.
The investigation is also examining allegations against Cuomo involving COVID-19 and nursing homes and that he provided preferential coronavirus testing to “certain friends and/or family members,” Lavine said.
Lavine declined to say when articles of impeachment might be drawn up against Cuomo, explaining, “We’ve still got a couple of steps to take before we’re in that position.”
“But I’m fully confident that should the committee vote to pursue impeachment, the articles of impeachment will be airtight,” he said.
Both Heastie and Lavine said they hadn’t spoken recently to Cuomo, who’s been in hiding since James released her report Tuesday.
When asked by The Post who’s actually running the state amid the leadership crisis, Heastie paused and said, “I assume the governor is.”
The remark came after Lavine called the allegations against Cuomo “deeply disturbing” ahead of a private meeting on the matter.
“We convene here today to convene an executive session to talk about the ongoing impeachment investigation of Gov. Cuomo,” Lavine told reporters.
“I commend the attorney general on her work and her agreement to provide relevant material to this committee,” he added. “The findings and contents of the report are deeply disturbing.”
“We will allow the governor to provide further information should he choose to do so,” he said Monday morning. “The governor and his lawyers say he wants to be treated fairly, he will be.”
Lavine, a Democrat who represents parts of Long Island’s Nassau County around Glen Cove, pledged to “protect” the witnesses and victims of Cuomo’s alleged sexual harassment and assault
“Our investigation remains confidential, as it should be,” the lawmaker said. “In a court of American law, no one is above the law. Those words are true today as it was when I heard them a long time ago.
“We will protect the alleged victims and witnesses here.”
His remarks came before the Judiciary Committee went into executive session, as part of the impeachment process.
James’ investigation, released Tuesday, documented sexual assault and harassment allegations made by 11 women — including nine current or former state staffers — against the third-term Democratic governor. Cuomo has denied wrongdoing amid mounting calls for his resignation and the looming possibility of impeachment.
Heastie said the findings of the report made it “abundantly clear” to him and his colleagues that Cuomo “can no longer remain in office.”
About two-thirds of state Assembly members have already said they favor an impeachment trial if Cuomo continues to refuse to resign despite the blistering report accusing him of sexually harassing 11 women.
The Assembly committee’s meeting comes on the heels of his former aide going public with her groping accusations on national TV.
Also Monday, Cuomo was hit with a damning TV interview.
“CBS This Morning” aired in full the first TV interview with Brittany Commisso, an executive assistant who accused Cuomo of groping her breast and behind and kissing her on the lips.
“The governor needs to be held accountable,” Commisso — identified only as “Executive Assistant #1” in James’ report — told the network.
“What he did to me was a crime. He broke the law.”
Commisso last week became the first woman to file a criminal complaint against Cuomo.
At least five district attorneys have confirmed they are investigating incidents. Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple said Saturday that Cuomo could face misdemeanor charges if investigators substantiate Commisso’s complaint.
Cuomo has repeatedly denied all the women’s claims, insisting he is just a loving, touchy-feely leader whose actions and comments were misunderstood by women staffers. His lawyers have also insisted that the governor was “ambushed” by James’ investigation, saying it was rigged against him.
In an MSNBC interview on Monday, Cuomo attorney Rita Glavin tried to split hairs between the accounts of the 11 women highlighted in the AG’s report, saying that “Some of these allegations do not rise to the level of sexual harassment.”
Glavin also argued “it actually does matter” that some of the accusers were not employed by the state when the alleged harassment occurred.
“For sexual harassment laws, they’re talking about it within the context of employment, you bet it makes a difference.”
Leaders of his own party, including President Biden, have called on Cuomo to resign.
Meanwhile, the governor’s leading — and most ferocious — aide, Melissa DeRosa, resigned late Sunday after what she called an “emotionally and mentally trying” two years.
Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul is reportedly preparing to replace Cuomo as governor within weeks.
Additional reporting by Nolan Hicks
