Gov. Andrew Cuomo “must resign” as allegations of sexual harassment against him continue to mount, Senate leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said Sunday – after the governor reportedly urged she should impeach him.
In a brief statement released shortly after a press conference in which Cuomo pledged not to resign, Stewart-Cousins (D-Yonkers) cited not only the exploding sexual harassment scandal, but other black eyes, including an impending federal government. research on Cuomo’s government. accounting of the death toll from the coronavirus in nursing homes.
“Every day there is a different story retreating from the affairs of the government,” said Stewart-Cousins. “We have allegations of sexual harassment, a toxic work environment, the loss of credibility surrounding the COVID-19 nursing home data and questions about the construction of a major infrastructure project.
“New York is still in the midst of this pandemic and continues to face its social, health and economic consequences,” she continued. “We have to rule without daily distractions. For the good of the state, Governor Cuomo must resign. “
Stewart-Cousins dropped the bomb after a press conference in which Cuomo said he would “in no way” resign – preceded by a contentious phone call between the two Democratic leaders, the Associated Press said.
In a brief phone call prior to the press, Cuomo told Stewart-Cousins that state lawmakers would have to impeach him if they wanted him out of office, the AP reported, citing an anonymous source who had been briefed on the talk.
State Assembly Majority Leader Carl Heastie (D-Bronx) followed up Stewart-Cousins’ statement with one of his own, agreeing, but refraining from explicitly calling for resignation.
“The allegations related to the governor reported in recent weeks have been deeply troubling and do not belong to the government, in the workplace or anywhere,” said Heastie. I also share majority leader Stewart-Cousins’s sentiment in the Senate about the governor’s ability to continue to lead this state.
“We face many challenges, and I think it is time for the governor to seriously consider whether he can effectively meet the needs of the people of New York.”
Under state law, the first step in removing the governor would be for the Assembly to vote to approve the drastic measure, as in the US House of Representatives.
Should the measure succeed, the senate would lead an impeachment process and vote on whether or not to remove the governor, following the lead of the US Senate.
Stewart-Cousins said last week – when Cuomo’s prosecutors were three: Lindsey Boylan, Charlotte Bennett and Anna Ruch – that the governor should resign if the number gets higher.
Two more prosecutors – former assistants Ana Liss and Karen Hinton – came forward on Saturday.
Stewart-Cousins previously said further action should depend on the findings of an investigation by Attorney General Letitia James into the charges.
Cuomo has apologized to a number of women for making inappropriate comments, but constantly denies inappropriate physical contact, as claimed by all women except Bennett.
The Cuomo government did not immediately respond to a request for comment.