Joe Biden has called on New York State Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo to step down. “I think he should resign”, said Tuesday, August 3, the President of the United States. The appeal comes after the publication in the morning of an independent judicial report accusing the 63-year-old governor of sexual harassment, which he immediately denied.
“The Governor has sexually harassed a number of current and former New York State employees by engaging in, among other things, unwelcome and non-consensual touching, and making numerous offensive comments of a suggestive and sexual nature that have created a hostile working environment for women ”New York Attorney Letitia James said Tuesday during the presentation of the report written by Joon Kim, a former federal prosecutor, and Anne Clark, a lawyer specializing in workplace discrimination issues.
The latter add that “The culture of the governor’s office – a culture of fear and intimidation, which at the same time normalized the governor’s frequent flirtations and sexist comments – contributed to the conditions that allowed sexual harassment to occur and persist “.
Eleven women and 179 testimonies
The report details on 168 pages the grievances of eleven women corroborated by 179 testimonies. Mr. Cuomo had been heard at length in mid-July. The vast majority of the facts were already known since this winter. Her first accuser was a former economic adviser, Lindsey Boylan: according to her, the governor had kissed her unsolicited on the mouth and suggested to play with him at the “Strip poker” while traveling by plane.
During her press conference where the report was presented, Letitia James noted that these acts had been carried out “In violation of federal and state laws”. However, she ruled out criminal prosecution on her part – “Our work is done” –, believing that other bodies could act. In Albany, the state capital, the local prosecutor opened a criminal investigation, which was deemed complicated.
On the political side, Carl Heastie, president of the New York State House of Representatives, wants to quickly conclude an impeachment procedure. The two Democratic state senators, Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, who had previously called on Mr. Cuomo to resign this winter, called Mr. Cuomo’s actions as “Deeply disturbing, inappropriate and totally unacceptable”. Senators said they “Continue to believe that the governor should resign”.
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