Ex-federal attorney to head probe into NY governor sex harassment claims

NEW YORK – New York Attorney-General Letitia James yesterday named two independent lawyers to lead the inquiry into sexual harassment charges against governor Andrew Cuomo, as lawmakers call on him to step down.

James in a statement said she has appointed Joon Kim, a former federal attorney, and Anne Clark, an employment discrimination lawyer, to look into allegations of sexual harassment levelled at the Democratic governor by five women since February 24.

“This team is charged with conducting a thorough and independent investigation of, and the circumstances surrounding, allegations of sexual harassment against governor Cuomo, including his administration’s handling of such matters.”

The two lawyers will report to her every week with their findings, she said, without specifying how long the inquiry will last.

The two are appointed amid rising calls for Cuomo to resign, though the governor, who has been in office for 10 years, has adamantly rejected the idea.

The 63-year-old was hailed at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic as a straight-talking pragmatist, as his state battled the first big wave of the disease.

But he has since been accused of trying to cover up the number of deaths in New York’s nursing homes.

Even members of his own party have joined the rising chorus of voices calling for him to go.

New York assembly minority Republican leader Will Barclay yesterday said he plans to introduce an impeachment resolution against Cuomo.

“After this weekend, it just became more and more apparent that, regardless of how many hearings or investigations we have, the real problem now is the governor has lost so much credibility and trust that we don’t feel like he can go forward and govern.”

For the measure to pass, a majority of the 150 lawmakers in the lower house will have to vote in favour. A trial will then be organised in the state Senate, requiring two thirds of senators to find Cuomo guilty. He will then be replaced by the state’s lieutenant governor, Democrat Kathy Hochul, until the election in November next year. – AFP, March 9, 2021