The New York State prosecutor on Monday appointed two independent lawyers to investigate the sexual harassment charges against Governor Andrew Cuomo, as elected officials began impeachment proceedings against him.
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In a statement, prosecutor Letitia James announced that she had selected ex-federal prosecutor, Joon Kim, and a lawyer specializing in workplace discrimination issues, Anne Clark, to investigate the charges of sexual harassment and inappropriate behavior made by five women since February 24.
“This team is responsible for conducting a full and independent investigation into the allegations of sexual harassment against the governor, the circumstances surrounding them, and the way his cabinet handled these cases,” said the prosecutor.
The two lawyers will report each week on their work to the prosecutor, she added, without setting a time limit for the investigation.
The appointments come as calls to remove the powerful Democratic governor mount. Mr. Cuomo again on Sunday rejected the idea of a resignation.
In power for 10 years, a time seen as a hero in the midst of a pandemic, the 63-year-old governor, also accused of having concealed the number of coronavirus deaths in retirement homes, is increasingly isolated.
Even the Democratic leaders of the New York State Parliament on Sunday joined the camp of those who believe he must go.
In this context, the Republican leaders of the lower house of the New York Parliament, minority, announced Monday the introduction of a resolution of impeachment.
“It is more and more evident that no matter what hearings and inquiries, the real problem is that the governor has lost so much credibility and confidence that we think he cannot continue to govern,” Will said on Monday. Barclay, Republican leader of the lower house.
For such a procedure to succeed, a majority of the 150 elected representatives of the lower house would have to vote in favor of impeachment.
Following a model similar to that of proceedings for the removal of a US president, a trial would then be organized before the senators and the seven judges of the New York State Court of Appeal.
If a two-thirds majority voted to remove the governor, his running mate and state “lieutenant”, Democrat Kathy Hochul, would assume the governorship until the November 2022 election.
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