Cuomo to be questioned in sexual harassment investigation

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ALBANY, NY (AP) – New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is set for questioning on Saturday as the state attorney general’s office ends its investigation into allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct that have shaken his national reputation and threatened his grip on power as he prepares to run for a fourth term next year.

The timing of the interview in Albany, the state capital, was confirmed to The Associated Press on Thursday by two people familiar with the investigation. They were not allowed to speak publicly about the case and did so on condition of anonymity.

Investigators were still to speak to Cuomo, who said at the start of the investigation in March that he “would cooperate fully.”

Saturday’s interview says investigators are almost done with their work, which includes interviews with the governor’s accusers, although they may need time to sort out issues before a report is released.

Several women accused Cuomo, a Democrat, of unwanted kissing, touching and groping, and inappropriate sexual remarks.

Cuomo initially apologized and said he “had learned an important lesson” about his behavior towards women, although he has since denied doing anything wrong and questioned the accusers’ motives and fellow Democrats who called for his resignation.

Cuomo, in office since 2011, rejected calls to withdraw the allegations.

Cuomo’s popularity has declined this year: around 62% of voters said Cuomo should resign or not be re-elected in a poll conducted in late June by Siena College. Still, supporters point out that 61% of Democrats in this poll said they had a favorable opinion of him.

A message requesting comment was left for Cuomo’s attorney, Rita Glavin. A spokesperson for Cuomo said Thursday he had no comment. The state attorney general’s office declined to comment.

“We have said on several occasions that the governor does not want to comment on this review until he cooperates, but the continued leaks are further evidence of the transparent political motivation of the attorney general’s review,” said senior adviser to Cuomo, Richard Azzopardi.

The scheduled interview with Cuomo was first reported by The New York Times.

Former assistant Lindsey Boylan accuses Cuomo of harassing her throughout her job and said he previously suggested a game of strip poker aboard her state-owned jet.

Another former assistant, Charlotte Bennett, said Cuomo had previously asked her if she had ever had sex with older men. Bennett’s attorney, Debra Katz, said Bennett met via Zoom for more than four hours with investigators and also provided them with 120 pages of documents to corroborate his accusations.

A message asking for comment was left for Katz and lawyers for Boylan and another Cuomo accuser, aide Alyssa McGrath.

The investigation into the allegations against Cuomo is overseen by independently elected state attorney general Letitia James, who has appointed former federal prosecutor Joon Kim and employment discrimination lawyer Anne Clark to conduct the investigation and document its findings in a public report.

Azzopardi’s statement Thursday was at least the second time that Cuomo’s top spokesman has claimed that James, also a Democrat, and his investigation were politically motivated. Azzopardi did not provide evidence on Thursday that the attorney general disclosed information.

In April, Azzopardi lambasted James for confirming that his office was also investigating whether Cuomo broke the law by asking staff to help him write and promote his recent memoir, “American Crisis: Leadership Lessons From the Covid-19 Pandemic ”.

“Both the comptroller and the attorney general have spoken to people about their candidacy for governor and it is unethical to exercise referral authority in criminal matters to promote political interest,” Azzopardi said. at the time.

Some of Cuomo’s main allies in the state legislature have called on the public to wait for the results of James’ investigation and not undermine his integrity.

Senator Gustavo Rivera, a Democrat from the Bronx, said he trusted the independent investigators selected by James, and said “their credibility and professionalism cannot be questioned.”

“People felt early on that the governor had done so much to help her become AG that she would then become sensitive to his political needs,” said Rivera, chairman of the Senate health committee. “Now she has proven time and time again that she is responsible to the people of New York State.”

Manhattan Assembly Member Richard Gottfried, Democrat and Chairman of the Assembly Health Committee, agreed: “Tish James will not let anyone undermine her.”

Deputy Majority Whip Senator John Liu called Azzopardi’s statement “a typical Cuomo playbook.”

“Obviously, Cuomo is trying to undermine the GA,” Liu said.

“Those kind of comments, trying to interfere, trying to sidetrack, trying to involve, at least politically – my reading is that people in the governor’s circle, including the governor, are at least nervous and at most terrified.” said Liu, a Democrat from Queens who, like Gottfried and Rivera, called on Cuomo to step down.

This year’s legislative session is over, but lawmakers could return later in the summer or fall if the investigation is successful.

“I think Tish James is as thorough as can be, knowing that no matter what, she will be charged with politics,” Liu said.

The State Assembly Judiciary Committee has launched its own investigation to determine if there are grounds for impeaching the governor on issues ranging from sexual misconduct to his administration’s reporting of COVID-19 deaths among residents of nursing homes.

It’s also unclear when the Assembly’s investigation will end, but it will likely be after James’ investigation ends. Boylan said she only wanted to speak to investigators as part of the Attorney General’s investigation.

Liu said the GA’s report and recommendations “will hold a lot of weight” with lawmakers.

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Balsamo reported from Washington, DC Sisak reported from Port St. Lucie, Florida.

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