Gov. Andrew Cuomo Reportedly Trying to Strike Deal With Top NY State Officials to Escape Impeachment
17:14 GMT 09.08.2021 (Updated: 19:18 GMT 09.08.2021)
© AFP 2023 / SETH WENIG
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A total of 11 individuals have come forward with accusations of sexual harassment against the official. He has categorically denied any wrongdoing and dismissed calls from the public and top Democrats, including President Joe Biden, to resign.
The New York governor has made a last-ditch attempt to avoid getting impeached over sexual misconduct allegations, the New York Post and The City reported, citing its sources. According to the latter, the governor has attempted to strike a deal with the state legislature, promising to not run for re-election in NY if talks on the impeachment inquiry are dropped.
The City news website writes that the politician’s aides have been on the phone non-stop trying to save his political career and image since last week, when Attorney General Letitia James released an independent inquiry that determined the governor had sexually harassed multiple women.
"It was something that was floated to me by the folks in the Cuomo camp as a possible option before the attorney general’s report came out. I never saw it as a viable option", New York State Democratic Party Chairman Jay Jacobs told the New York Post.
Jacobs told the NY Post that he promptly rejected the proposal. "Either you can survive the AG’s report and run again or you don’t survive the AG’s report. There’s no compromise", he told the tabloid.
The City reports that one of the individuals who wanted strike a quid pro quo agreement was Melissa DeRosa, Cuomo’s top aide, who has worked for him for years. On 8 August, she resigned after the attorney general’s report said that she had spearheaded efforts to discredit one of the women who have accused the politician of sexual harassment. She reportedly recently asked the staff at the state legislature for strategies on how to quell the potential impeachment, the news website says.
The news of DeRosa's resignation is said to have sent shockwaves through Cuomo’s entourage, as she was regarded as his staunchest supporter. She didn’t mention Cuomo in her resignation.
"It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve the people of New York for the past 10 years. New Yorkers’ resilience, strength, and optimism through the most difficult times has inspired me every day. I am forever grateful for the opportunity to have worked with such talented and committed colleagues on behalf of our state. Personally, the past two years have been emotionally and mentally trying", her statement read.
Secretary to the Governor Melissa DeRosa listens as New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo speaks to reporters during a news conference, Wednesday, June 23, 2021, in New York.
© AP Photo / Mary Altaffer
According to the New York Post, another individual that has held talks on striking a deal with the state legislature was the governor’s longtime friend and attorney Charlie King, a claim he has denied.
First Woman to Speak Publicly Against Cuomo
The development comes as one of the women, who has accused the politician of sexual misconduct has spoken publicly for the first time. In an interview with CBS News, Brittany Commisso, 32, revealed two incidents of improper behaviour.
"I felt while taking the selfie, his hand go down my back onto my butt, and he started rubbing it. Not sliding it. Not, you know, quickly brushing over it — rubbing my butt”, Commisso said, recalling the incident, which occurred on New Year’s Eve in 2019.
During the other incident, which occurred last November, the Democrat reportedly groped her breast when the two were in the Executive Mansion in Albany. The young woman noted that the politician behaved as if he could easily get away with his actions.
"He almost has this smirk that he thinks that he’s untouchable. I almost feel like he has this sense of almost a celebrity status and it just — that was the tipping point", the 32-year-old told on CBS Morning.
How Has the Governor Responded?
A total of 11 individuals have come forward with accusations of sexual harassment against Andrew Cuomo. The politician has categorically dismissed them, although he admitted that the complaints could have been the result of cultural and generational misunderstandings or his words being interpreted as "an unwanted flirtation". His legal team has insisted that the accusations are a plot to oust him from office, without providing names and details.
On Sunday Cuomo’s lawyer Rita Galvin appeared on CNN and said that the governor did "slip at times", but noted that his actions were in line with the law.
"He will say 'darling,' he will say 'sweetheart,' he does ask people questions about their personal lives. He didn't think that that was improper", Galvin said.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo winks while speaking from the One World Trade Center Tower while making an announcement in New York City, New York, U.S., June 15, 2021.
© REUTERS / MIKE SEGAR
When a CNN anchor Pamela Brown pressed her on the issue and mentioned a previously undisclosed accusation made by female state trooper, who claimed that Cuomo placed his hand on her back, stomach, belly button and private parts, Galvin said the following:
"That's not criminal conduct as far as I know. Depends on what the context of the circumstances were."
What’s Next?
The governor has until 12 August to respond to the Attorney General’s report and submit any information he wants to the New York Assembly Judiciary Committee. The body has already said it was "nearing completion" of the probe and would soon consider "potential articles of impeachment". If the assembly gives green light to the inquiry, Cuomo will be removed from office and replaced with lieutenant governor of New York Kathy Hochul, while the trial is going.
