{"id":190960,"date":"2021-02-28T22:06:18","date_gmt":"2021-02-28T19:06:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/dems-demand-independent-probe-of-cuomo-sexual-harassment-allegations\/"},"modified":"2021-02-28T22:06:18","modified_gmt":"2021-02-28T19:06:18","slug":"dems-demand-independent-probe-of-cuomo-sexual-harassment-allegations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/dems-demand-independent-probe-of-cuomo-sexual-harassment-allegations\/","title":{"rendered":"#Dems demand independent probe of Cuomo sexual harassment allegations"},"content":{"rendered":"

“#Dems demand independent probe of Cuomo sexual harassment allegations<\/strong>”
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Top Democratic lawmakers including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Sunday demanded a truly independent probe into sexual harassment allegations lodged against Gov. Andrew Cuomo.<\/p>\n

After a second ex-staffer in less than a week detailed alleged sexual harassment at the hands of Cuomo on Saturday, the governor\u2019s office first tapp<\/a>ed former federal judge Barbara Jones to conduct an investigation.<\/p>\n

As the appointment of Jones \u2014 a one-time colleague of former Cuomo aide Steve Cohen \u2014 drew bipartisan criticism, state Attorney General<\/a> Letitia James on Sunday requested that Cuomo grant a referral for her office to investigate, with subpoena authority.<\/p>\n

But Cuomo\u2019s office issued a counter-offer, splitting authority to name an independent investigator between James and top state appeals judge Janet DiFiore, a Cuomo appointee.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Governor must refer the allegations of sexual harassment to the Attorney General, who should have full authority, with subpoena power and with no caveats,\u201d said state Sen. Liz Krueger<\/a> (D-Manhattan) in a statement. \u201cIf he does not, I call for the Legislature to immedia<\/a>tely pass a law giving the Attorney General such authority.\u201d<\/p>\n

Added state Sen. Alessandra Biaggi<\/a> (D-Bronx\/Westchester), \u201cI support @NewYorkStateAG appointing a special prosecutor with subpoena power, I do NOT support the addition of Chief Judge Janet DiFiore, who is not sufficiently independent, as she is a very long time Cuomo ally. We need to let the AG do her job.\u201d<\/p>\n

In a statement tweeted prior to James\u2019 request for a referral \u2014 and the Cuomo administration\u2019s counter-offer \u2014 Ocasio-Cortez (D-Bronx\/Queens) stressed the importance of an unbiased investigation.<\/p>\n

\u201cLindsey Boylan and Charlotte Bennett\u2019s detailed accounts of sexual harassment by Gov. Cuomo are extremely serious and painful to read,\u201d wrote AOC<\/a>. \u201cThere must be an independent investigation \u2014 not one led by an individual selected by the Governor, but by the office of the Attorney General.\u201d<\/p>\n

After first accusing Cuomo of sexual harassment in Dec. 2020 without providing details, Boylan published a Medium piece last week expanding on the allegations, including that Cuomo kissed her on the lips without warning.<\/p>\n

And in an interview with the New York Times published Saturday, another former Cuomo staffer, Charlotte Bennett, accused the governor of a pattern of inappropriate remarks that left her convinced he \u201cwanted to sleep with\u201d her.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor too long, women have been belittled into shame and silence by powerful men,\u201d tweeted US Rep. Nydia Velazquez<\/a> (D-Brooklyn). \u201cIf we don\u2019t move the needle, we are subjecting another generation of women to the same abuse. I\u2019m calling for a truly independent investigation into these allegations of the Governor\u2019s behavior.\u201d<\/p>\n

Added state Sen. Jessica Ramos<\/a> (D-Queens), \u201cWe must listen to women when they bravely come forward and investigate fully. Nothing but a completely independent investigation of these credible allegations of sexual harassment in the office of @NYGovCuomo is acceptable.\u201d<\/p>\n

The sentiments were, however, by no means limited to women or Democrats.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe recent allegations of sexual harassment against Governor Cuomo are deeply troubling and deserve a thorough investigation,\u201d tweeted US Rep. Jerry Nadler<\/a> (D-Brooklyn\/Manhattan). \u201cIt must be transparent, impartial, and above all else, independent.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mayor Bill de Blasio on Sunday called for the revocation of the emergency powers Cuomo has wielded amid the coronavirus pandemic, citing in part the \u201cdisturbing\u201d sexual harassment allegations.<\/p>\n

And White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Sunday that President Biden supports an \u201cindependent review\u201d of the allegations.<\/p>\n

Across the aisle, state Assemblyman Mike Lawler (R-Rockland County) went a step further, calling on Cuomo to step down.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou just can\u2019t make this stuff up. He has abused his office for over a decade and gotten away with it because people were afraid to speak out,\u201d wrote Lawler<\/a>. \u201cKudos to @LindseyBoylan and @_char_bennett_ for sharing their stories and taking him on. He needs to resign immediately.\u201d\n <\/div>\n