[ad_1]
Calls for Gov. Andrew Cuomo to resign over the sexual harassment allegations lodged against him continued to mount Tuesday, including from the Democratic Socialists of America — whose most famous member, US Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has called for a thorough probe — and the Working Families Party.
Cuomo, now in his third-term as governor, has faced bipartisan pressure to step down as the number of women to accuse him of inappropriate conduct has grown to three — with two alleging that Cuomo forcibly kissed them.
“In light of the multiple allegations of sexual harassment by Governor Cuomo, the NYC Chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America is calling for the immediate resignation and impeachment of Governor Andrew Cuomo. We stand with Charlotte Bennet [sic], Lindsey Boylan, and Anna Ruch, who have spoken out about Governor Cuomo’s harassment,” the group said in a statement issued Tuesday, referring to the three women who have spoken out.
“Someone so comfortable with abusing his power should not be in leadership of our state,” the statement continued. “It is abundantly clear that Cuomo’s endemic pattern of abuse and bullying have disrupted and interfered with democratic processes in our state. The people of New York deserve better.”
The DSA’s New York chapter issued the statement days after Ocasio-Cortez (D-Bronx/Queens) called Boylan and Bennett’s accounts “extremely serious and painful to read,” and demanded an independent probe.
The Cuomo administration has since given state Attorney General Letitia James the green-light to select an independent investigator with full subpoena power.
Meanwhile Tuesday, the Working Families Party — which backed Cuomo’s unsuccessful primary challenger, Cynthia Nixon, in 2018, only to begrudgingly support the governor in the general election — also called for him to step down.
“Andrew Cuomo’s reign of fear, harassment, and intimidation cannot continue,” the group said in a statement. “We were horrified to learn of the Governor’s pattern of sexual harassment. We have been equally disturbed by the Governor’s response: he did not deny any of Charlotte Bennett’s specific allegations, failed to take any personal responsibility for his actions, and instead blamed his victims.
“We are calling on Governor Cuomo to resign immediately because he is unfit to serve the people of New York.”
Cuomo’s latest round of woes began last week when former staffer Boylan, 36, penned a Medium piece accusing the 63-year-old governor of kissing her on the lips without warning and suggesting they play strip poker to pass a flight.
On Saturday, another former staffer, Bennett, 25, alleged that Cuomo made inappropriate remarks and asked questions about her sex life, leaving her convinced he was in pursuit of a relationship.
And on Monday, the 33-year-old Ruch — who said she had not previously met Cuomo — accused him of grabbing her and kissing her cheek against her will at a 2019 wedding.
After Bennett came forward, Cuomo issued a statement apologizing for comments he called “jokes,” but admitted could have been construed as “unwanted flirtation.”
He denied touching anyone inappropriately, as alleged at that point by Boylan.
After Ruch spoke up, Cuomo’s office referred to the same statement, even though Ruch had never worked for the state.
The DSA and WFP join several politicians from across the political landscape calling for Cuomo’s resignation.
They include: Mayor Bill de Blasio, US Rep. Kathleen Rice (D-Long Island), state Sens. Gustavo Rivera (D-Bronx), Alessandra Biaggi (D-Bronx/Westchester), Jessica Ramos (D-Queens) and John Liu (D-Queens), as well as state Assemblymembers Jessica González-Rojas (D-Queens), Ron Kim (D-Queens) and Tom Abinati (D-Westchester).
Should Cuomo resign, Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul would become governor under state law, becoming the first woman to lead the Empire State.
Cuomo has not publicly indicated any intention of stepping down.
[ad_2]
Source link
