State Assembly suspends Cuomo impeachment investigation as some demand more accountability

Even though Gov. Andrew Cuomo has resigned, the calls to hold him accountable continue to grow.

News 12 Staff

Aug 14, 2021, 3:42 PM

Updated 1,205 days ago

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Even though Gov. Andrew Cuomo has resigned, the calls to hold him accountable continue to grow.
The state Assembly is suspending the impeachment investigation into Cuomo as he enters his final days in office.
While impeachment wouldn't kick him out because he resigned, it could bar him from ever holding office again in New York.
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie says lawmakers can’t impeach an elected official who's no longer in office. However, Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt and New York State Chairman Nick Langworthy want to challenge that.
“Resignation, I don't think is justice to the families who lost loved ones, and I highly doubt it's justice to the women who were abused, because he could come back, and he could run for office again,” Ortt says.
The committee has been looking into several misconduct allegations against the governor since March, including sexual harassment, covering up nursing home deaths and misusing state resources.
“The Attorney General's investigation focused on sexual harassment—the Assembly investigation is focusing on all of the allegations, including the nursing home cover-up,” Ortt says.
If impeachment is not possible, some lawmakers demand the Assembly to at least publish the findings of their investigation. Among those making the request are Republican Hudson Valley lawmakers Sen. Sue Serino, Assemblyman Mike Lawler and Assemblyman Colin Schmitt.
Some Democrats, like Tom Abinanti, of the Assembly Judiciary Committee, believes the Assembly should release its findings.
“The public deserves a report from the committee on the four charges that have been referred to the committee,” says Abinanti.
The lawmakers say making these findings public will at least hold the governor accountable. For now, the Assembly Judiciary Committee is turning over its findings to law enforcement and the state Attorney General, but not the public.