They are no more silent: an increasingly vocal chorus of critics on both sides of the political aisle. Cuomo spread the news on Saturday that he was accused of sexual harassment by another former colleague.
Everyone from the familiar GOP enemies in command spoke in favor of an independent investigation after their own second, 25-year-old Charlotte Bennett, appeared before the New York Times to describe Cuomo’s alleged creepy behavior.
At least one state senator did not mimic the words.
“@NYGovCuomo, you’re a monster, and it’s time for you to leave. Now,” wrote State sen. Alessandra Biaggi, a Democrat from The Bronx.
Most were measured, including Democratic Assembly Speaker Carl Hetti.
“As I said earlier, all allegations of harassment should be taken seriously. An independent investigation is actually warranted.
Senate leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins called the new allegations “deeply disturbing and subjective”. The described behavior has no place in the workplace. “
In her first words on the scandalous scandal, Lieutenant Government Kathy Hochul also called for an independent review.
“Everyone deserves to hear their voice and be taken seriously,” she said.
Hochul was notably mum earlier this week as another former aide, Lindsay Boylan, with the governor allegedly suggesting playing “strip poker” with her during an October 2017 flight on her state jet.
Cuomo has not denied the allegations, noted New York City mayoral candidate Maya Wiley.
“I’m disappointed. I believe that Charlett Bennett,” she said in a statement, “senior officials in the governor’s office knew of his behavior … what happened to these complaints? Why no further action? Done? How many times has this happened? “
State Sen. Todd Kaminski, a Democrat and former federal prosecutor in Brooklyn, also spoke on Cuomo’s accusers for the first time.
“This pattern of behavior requires a swift and immediate, independent investigation of which leader should have the right to glean all the evidence,” Kaminski said in a statement.
State fighter James Scoufis, a Democrat who heads the committee of inquiry and who failed to issue a subpoenas for Cuomo and his staff on the nursing home scandal, called the allegations “intimately” and “an independent” It is said. Outside, quick investigation … completely independent of potential influence and politics. “
Sonia Osorio, head of the New York chapter of the National Organization for Women, also wants an independent inquiry “free from political pressure”, she said in the group’s first statement on the governor’s troubles.
Five female Republican senators, Pam Helling, Daphne Jordan, Patty Ritchie, Sue Serino and Alexis Weeks, along with Nick Langworthy, the head of the state Republican Party, called Attorney General Letitia James to investigate.
He said, “His alleged violent activities are arrogant and if the account is correct, he has crossed the line.” Within a week, two brave individuals have come forward to share their stories of working for this man, ”the senators said in a statement. “Government Cuomo should now be investigated more than ever. “
“We don’t need another report of his infamous whitewash,” Langworthy said. “We are an independently elected AG for a reason – Attorney General Tish James needs to do his job.”
James’s office did not return a request for comment.
Cuomo’s office has appointed a former Manhattan federal judge, Barbara s jones, Which was appointed by President Bill Clinton in the bench in 1995 to lead the investigation.
New York Rape Elys Stefanik (R-Glance Falls) slams Cuomo to appoint his own investigator.
“New Yorkers see right through it. Criminal sexual predators don’t get to announce and appoint their own ‘review’ who will conduct it, “she tweeted Saturday night.” This needs to be abandoned immediately by every chosen officer in NY because one And desperate is the Cuomo coverup. “
In a statement, he said, “I was one of the first and elected officials to call the governor to resign on the 14th. Today, it is time to develop a backbone for other New York State leaders. New York Times Governor Cuomo’s article on being sexually harassed at the workplace and grooming Ms. Bennett is so terrible that it makes your skin crawl. “
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