New York State Assembly Begins Impeachment Inquiry into Governor Cuomo... Resignation Pressure Mounts

Sexual Harassment Victim Aides Report to Police... Investigation Underway
Democratic Party Lawmakers Also Demand Public Resignations... Successor Selection Under Review

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The New York State Legislature announced that it has launched an independent investigation into Governor Andrew Cuomo's sexual harassment allegations in order to proceed with his impeachment. Cuomo, who is facing resignation pressure from the majority of both Democratic and Republican lawmakers, continues to deny the allegations and refuses to resign, prompting the official impeachment process. With six victims known so far and a survey of New York citizens showing that more than half believe he should resign, the downfall of the man once hailed as a hero of the COVID-19 crisis is expected to accelerate.

According to foreign media such as CNN, on the 11th (local time), the New York State Legislature announced that it has begun an independent investigation into the sexual harassment allegations against Governor Cuomo to facilitate his impeachment. Both Republican and Democratic lawmakers are urging his resignation, and most members of the New York State Legislature are expected to support impeachment if he does not step down. According to the Associated Press, out of 150 New York State legislators, 121 have publicly stated that he should resign.

Previously, the number of aides who reported sexual harassment by Governor Cuomo to the police increased by one, bringing the total number of female victims to six. The aide did not disclose her name. It is reported that the aide claimed that at the end of last year, Cuomo called her to the governor's residence and put his hand inside her shirt, touching her body. Cuomo denies the allegations, stating, "No one was inappropriately touched."

As Governor Cuomo continues to deny the allegations and reiterates that he has no intention of resigning, lawmakers from both the Democratic and Republican parties in the New York State Legislature have united to pressure him to step down. On this day, 59 Democratic lawmakers jointly sent a letter urging Governor Cuomo to resign. With an impeachment resolution being prepared and the vast majority of lawmakers hoping for his impeachment, Cuomo faces the risk of being removed if he does not resign voluntarily.

It is reported that the Democratic Party is already looking for his successor. According to CNBC, House Speaker Carl Heastie, a Democrat, convened Democratic lawmakers on the 11th amid increasing resignation pressure and said he would explore "possible paths forward." It is also reported that the current Lieutenant Governor of New York is among those being considered as the Democratic candidate for the 2022 gubernatorial election.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.