House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Sunday that the sexual harassment charges against New York Governor Andrew Cuomo were “credible”.
The California representative joined a chorus of Democrats calling for a truly independent investigation into the allegations of misconduct brought against Cuomo by two of his former employees.
“Women who have presented serious and credible charges against Governor Cuomo deserve to be heard and treated with dignity,” Pelosi said in a statement.
“Independent investigation must have due process and respect for all involved.”
The statement came at a time when Cuomo, 63, agreed to allow Attorney General Letitia James to appoint an outside investigator for the growing scandal.
Her senior aide, Beth Garvey, originally said Saturday night that the government had hired former federal judge Barbara Jones to lead an investigation.
The move quickly drew bipartisan criticism, however, because Cuomo was trying to dictate his own investigation and because Jones previously worked with Cuomo’s attorney and chief adviser, Steve Cohen.
As the reaction escalated on Sunday morning, James asked the Cuomo administration to allow his office to appoint an independent investigator, as prescribed by state law.
Cuomo’s concession came after several New York lawmakers, including Congressman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-Bronx / Queens), emphasized the importance of an impartial investigation.
“Lindsey Boylan and Charlotte Bennett’s detailed accounts of sexual harassment by Governor Cuomo are extremely serious and painful to read,” wrote AOC. “There must be an independent investigation – not conducted by an individual selected by the governor, but by the attorney general’s office.”
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) – who led the charge that resulted in former Senator Al Franken’s resignation on charges of sexual misconduct – was also among those who called for an independent investigation.
“These allegations are serious and deeply worrying,” said Gillibrand in a statement. “As requested by Attorney General James, the matter must be referred to her office so that she can conduct a transparent, independent and complete investigation with subpoena power.”
Gillibrand In 2017, Gillibrand, a 2020 Democratic presidential candidate, quickly issued a full sentence of her colleague Franken while he faced growing accusations from several women.
“Enough,” she said at the time.
Additional reporting by Mark Moore