A groping allegation against Governor Andrew Cuomo has been referred to the Albany Police Department, according to state officials. 

The allegation was reported to police by the governor’s acting counsel, Beth Garvey, after the woman involved declined to make the report herself.

“As a matter of state policy when allegations of physical contact are made, the agency informs the complainant that they should contact their local police department,” Garvey wrote in a statement. "If they decline, the agency has an obligation to reach out themselves and inform the department of the allegation. 

“In this case the person is represented by counsel and when counsel confirmed the client did not want to make a report, the state notified the police department and gave them the attorney’s information.“

Albany Police Department officials have not yet confirmed they have received this report from the governor’s office, but earlier Thursday said that a criminal investigation has not been initiated by the department at this time. 

According to The New York Times, the department has reached out to the woman’s attorney, but no formal complaint has been filed.

This is now the sixth woman to accuse Cuomo of inappropriate behavior.

This latest allegation was detailed in a Times Union report and if true, could result in a criminal charge.

According to the paper, the governor “aggressively groped” a female aide when he summoned her last year to the Executive Mansion.

Cuomo has denied the allegations and called the details “gut-wrenching.”

Yet, this has led to a growing number of Senate Democrats calling on Cuomo to resign.

Now around 22 Democratic Senators are in support of the governor’s resignation and joining in on these calls after this most recent allegation is Senator Shelley Mayer and freshman Senator John Mannion.

“I’ve known the governor for a long time, over 35 years,” Senator Mayer said. “This is a disappointing moment for all of us who saluted his leadership, but it requires our leadership. And that is why I have called on him to resign.”

“I believe the women that have come forward,” Senator Mannion said. “I think what we are seeing is a pattern of behavior that is awful. And as a result I think it is time that the governor step down.”

There is an ongoing attorney general investigation into the sexual harassment allegations, and the most recent case would likely fall under its broad scope.

However, if the investigation finds any criminal wrongdoing, the attorney general would either have to request permission from the legislature to pursue criminal charges or it would have to refer the case to the local district attorney’s office.

In this case it would most likely fall under the jurisdiction of Albany County District Attorney David Soares since the alleged incident took place at the Executive Mansion in Albany. 

A report would first have to be made by the woman involved, before an investigation could be launched through the Albany County district attorney’s office.