NY Assembly Opens Hotline for Gov. Cuomo Impeachment Probe
The New York State Assembly Judiciary Committee has set up a confidential hotline for folks wanting to provide information about Governor Andrew Cuomo’s alleged misconduct. I tell you what, this investigation is picking up steam faster than most people expected.
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie authorized the Judiciary Committee back on March 11 to begin an impeachment investigation into allegations against the three-term Democrat. The panel has authority to interview witnesses, subpoena documents, and evaluate evidence. When they’re finished, they’ll recommend whether the full Assembly should vote to impeach.
The hotline number is (212) 450-3600, and folks can also reach out by email at NY.Assembly.Investigation@davispolk.com. Both go through Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, the law firm hired to conduct the investigation.
Now, Cuomo has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. But the investigation has expanded well beyond the initial sexual harassment allegations. According to NBC New York, the probe now covers nursing home COVID-19 deaths data, potential misuse of state resources for his pandemic memoir, and even safety concerns about the Mario M. Cuomo Bridge.
CBS reported that within weeks of opening, the hotline had received “well in excess of a hundred communications.”
“We want to make sure that we leave no stone unturned during the course of this investigation,” said Assembly Member Charles Lavine, who chairs the Judiciary Committee.
The team of lawyers includes Greg Andres, who was part of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s team investigating Russian meddling in the 2016 election. Also on board are Martine Beamon, a former federal prosecutor in Manhattan, and white collar defense attorney Angela Burgess.
Bloomberg reports that investigators have since reviewed 290 messages and spoken with 75 individuals.
Some of Cuomo’s accusers and Democratic lawmakers have complained that the investigation is moving too slowly, buying time for the governor to recover politically. Others argue he deserves thorough due process.
“We are dealing with life, liberty, reputations, legacies, et cetera,” said Assembly member Latrice Walker.
Assembly releases from the investigation here.
The governor has said he looks forward to telling his side of the story when the investigations wrap up.
