(Bloomberg) -- New York Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said it is “abundantly clear” that Governor Andrew Cuomo “has lost the confidence of the Assembly Democratic majority and that he can no longer remain in office.”
Heastie's statement follows the release of a state attorney general's report that concluded Cuomo sexually harassed multiple women. President Joe Biden and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the nation's most senior Democrats, both joined a chorus of politicians demanding Cuomo step down.
Cuomo, a third-term Democrat, has defiantly refused to resign. The next step likely falls with the Assembly, which has been considering whether to initiate impeachment proceedings against Cuomo.
“Once we receive all relevant documents and evidence from the Attorney General, we will move expeditiously and look to conclude our impeachment investigation as quickly as possible,” Heastie said in a statement.
Earlier today, Heastie said Cuomo's conduct as outlined in the report “would indicate someone who is not fit for office.”
Both Cuomo and Heastie are Democrats.
Heastie, who had been accused by some lawmakers of slow-walking the inquiry into Cuomo's conduct, called the findings in Attorney General Letitia James's report “disturbing” and “gut-wrenching.” In March, he had said the allegations from several women were serious and warranted an Assembly investigation.
James said in a statement that she sent the Judiciary Committee the report, and would provide all relevant evidence.
Assemblyman Charles Lavine, chair of the panel, called the findings “extraordinarily disturbing.” The report is being studied by the panel as well as every member of the Assembly, Lavine said in a statement.
“This is a difficult day for the people of the state of New York,” Lavine said.
Read more here: Cuomo Defiant After Probe Finds He Sexually Harassed Women
©2021 Bloomberg L.P.
Essential Business Intelligence, Continuous LIVE TV, Sharp Market Insights, Practical Personal Finance Advice and Latest Stories — On NDTV Profit.
