File Photo
Disgraced former Gov. Andrew Cuomo resigned earlier this year.
By Michael V. Cusenza
The Assembly Judiciary Committee on Monday released a report completed by lawyers from Davis Polk & Wardwell, LLP concerning allegations against former Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
The detailed, 63-page report concludes:
- Cuomo engaged in multiple instances of sexual harassment, including by creating a hostile work environment and engaging in sexual misconduct;
- The former governor utilized state resources and property, including work by Executive Chamber staff, to write, publish and promote his book – a project for which he was guaranteed at least $5.2 million in personal profit; and at the same time
- The former governor was not fully transparent regarding the number of nursing home residents who died as a result of COVID-19.
During the course of the investigation, hundreds of thousands of pages of documents, including photographs, texts messages, BlackBerry PIN messages, emails, recordings of phone calls, social media accounts, video recordings, memos, transcripts and other materials were reviewed. The investigation included interviews, proffers, or review of interview and/or deposition materials for more than 200 individuals. The investigation also involved the review of the statements and writings by the former governor and his counsel throughout the investigation.
In March 2021, the Judiciary Committee was charged by Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie with determining whether evidence existed to support a finding that the governor had engaged in acts that constituted serious and corrupt conduct in office that may have justified articles of impeachment. The scope of the investigation included examining allegations of sexual harassment and other sexual misconduct, the publication of Cuomo’s October 2020 book, information provided by Cuomo and his administration regarding the effect of COVID-19 on nursing home residents and information regarding safety concerns about New York State bridges.
“This has been a profoundly sad chapter in New York’s history. I commend Chairman Charles Lavine, the members of the Judiciary Committee and the team at Davis Polk for their hard work and diligence in completing this investigation,” Heastie said. “I also want to acknowledge everyone who participated in all of the investigations for their cooperation, particularly the brave women who stepped forward. As we have throughout this process, we will continue to cooperate with all relevant investigative bodies to provide them with the evidence we have uncovered.”
“This has been an historic undertaking and one that the members of the Judiciary Committee took on with extreme diligence and thoughtfulness,” Lavine added. “I would like to thank all the members of the committee as well our counsel at Davis Polk for their hard work. The former governor’s conduct – as shown in this report – is extremely disturbing and is indicative of someone who is not fit for office. I hope this report helps New Yorkers further understand the seriousness of the allegations that have been made and serves to guide us to a more ethical and responsible government. New Yorkers deserve no less.”
In August, a report released by the State Attorney General’s Office concluded that Cuomo did sexually harass multiple women — including former and current State employees — by engaging in unwanted groping, kissing, and hugging, and making inappropriate comments.
Further, the governor and his senior staff took actions to retaliate against at least one former employee for coming forward with her story, State Attorney General Tish James’s special investigators noted. Finally, the Executive Chamber fostered a “toxic” workplace that enabled “harassment to occur and created a hostile work environment.”
