The New York State Assembly committee that’s conducting an impeachment inquiry into Governor Andrew Cuomo met Wednesday and offered a brief progress report. Assemblyman Charles Lavine, who chairs the Judiciary Committee, says the Davis Polk law firm that the Assembly has hired, has been looking into allegations that the governor sexually harassed several women, including female staffers. He says the firm is also investigating whether Cuomo improperly used employees to help him write and edit a memoir about the COVID-19 pandemic, and whether the governor and his staff covered up the number of nursing home residents who died of COVID.
“In total, Davis Polk has spoken to 75 individuals and entities that have information relative to the issues under investigation,” said Lavine, who said follow-up interviews and interviews with new witnesses are ongoing.
He says a hotline set up by the committee has received 290 messages, including emails and voicemails.
Lavine says the attorneys have also reviewed tens of thousands of documents, including emails and texts, photographs, personnel records, and training materials.
Lavine also addressed criticisms that the Assembly, who is paying Davis Polk $250,000 for the inquiry, is not devoting enough resources to the probe. Lavine says more money will likely be allotted as the investigation continues.
The impeachment inquiry began more than two months ago, no time has been set for its completion. If the committee concludes that there is enough evidence against the governor, the next step would be impeachment.
