The 168-page report released Tuesday by Attorney General Letitia James's office detailed the allegations of 11 women who have accused Gov. Andrew Cuomo of sexual harassment, unwanted touching and misconduct.
The report concluded the claims of the women are credible and that Cuomo broke state and federal law. It provides clarity after months of allegations and calls for Cuomo to step down by members of his own party. But there are still questions remaining for the governor and Albany. Here are three of them.
1. Will Cuomo resign?
The governor has held office since 2011, making him the longest-serving chief executive for a state in the country. Cuomo has worked the balance of his adult life to reach this job and keep it over three elections in the last decade. His accomplishments in office stretch from the legalization of same-sex marriage, pushing through a gun control measure and a cap on property taxes. He's prided himself on being a strong manager who knows the bureaucratic angles. He's never shown much of a serious interest in running for president.
In other words, being governor has been a key part of Cuomo's identity. A resignation for him, voluntarily leaving office, would be an unlikely step for him, even as lawmakers prepare impeachment articles. He and his allies have pointed to polling up until this week that found Democratic voters and Black voters — key segments of his base — have stuck with him during a year of controversy and scandal.
2. How fast will the Assembly move to impeach Cuomo?
Impeachment increasingly seems like a foregone conclusion in Albany. Lawmakers emerged from a virtual closed-door Democratic conference meeting on Tuesday taking the step of backing impeachment if Cuomo doesn't step aside. And while the investigation for impeachment has turned into a catch-all drawing in a variety of Cuomo-related controversies, the sexual harassment report alone could be enough of a tipping point. Assemblyman Phil Steck on Tuesday told reporters attorneys for the Legislature could recommend the report is enough of a basis to move forward.
The Assembly Judiciary Committee meets on Monday in Albany. Up until this week, the impeachment process was moving, at least from the public's point of view, at a relatively deliberate pace. Cuomo's office would be given time to respond to impeachment articles and mount an argument. If the Assembly votes to impeach him, a trial is held in the state Senate. During that time, Cuomo is temporarily removed from office.
3. What about criminal charges?
The investigation found Cuomo broke state and federal sex-based harassment laws. But investigators did not make any criminal referrals for the governor. That could ultimately be up to Albany County District Attorney David Soares, whose jurisdiction includes the Executive Mansion in Albany. A woman who works in the governor's office has said Cuomo forcibly touched her in November 2020, which Cuomo denies.