New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (D) on Thursday authorized an impeachment investigation into Governor Andrew Cuomo.
The news comes as Cuomo is facing growing calls to resign for allegations of sexual misconduct as well as his handling of COVID-19 in New York nursing homes.
“After meeting with the Assembly Majority Conference today, I am authorizing the Assembly Judiciary Committee to begin an impeachment investigation, led by Chair Charles D. Lavine, to examine allegations of misconduct against Governor Cuomo,” Heastie said in a statement.
“The reports of accusations concerning the governor are serious. The committee will have the authority to interview witnesses, subpoena documents and evaluate evidence, as is allowed by the New York State Constitution. I have the utmost faith that Assemblymember Lavine and the members of the committee will conduct an expeditious, full and thorough investigation.”
“This inquiry will not interfere with the independent investigation being conducted by Attorney General James.”
On Wednesday, a sixth accuser claimed Cuomo groped her inside of the Governor’s Executive Mansion.
.@NYGovCuomo aide says she was called to fix an issue with his cell phone when the Governor put his hands under her shirt and fondled her–and she claims that was not the only time Cuomo had touched her inappropriately.https://t.co/dx2j6Q8sQE
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) March 11, 2021
Cuomo has said he will cooperate with Attorney General’s investigation but insisted he will not resign.
