NEW YORK, (Reuters) – New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said yesterday he authorized its Judiciary Committee to start an “impeachment investigation” into sexual misconduct allegations six women have made against Governor Andrew Cuomo.
The panel’s investigation, which would run parallel to one being led by state Attorney General Letitia James, would be authorized to interview witnesses, subpoena documents and evaluate evidence, Heastie said.
“The reports of accusations concerning the governor are serious,” Heastie said in a statement.
Cuomo, 63, has denied all allegations by the women, most of whom are former aides. The most recent is an unnamed aide who told The Times-Union newspaper on Tuesday that Cuomo had groped her after calling her to the executive mansion last year under the pretext of business.
Cuomo denied the groping accusation, the Times-Union reported on Wednesday, saying “I have never done anything like this,” and called the details “gut-wrenching.” Representatives for Cuomo did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment.
