Cuomo has been saying that he will not resign and if they want him out they have to impeach him.
The leader of the New York State Assembly, himself a Democrat, Speaker Carl Heastie (D) has taken him and his word and has begun an investigation into whether to impeach Cuomo for sexual assault and possibly for expanding deaths in nursing homes across the state.
There seems to be a plurality that wants Cuomo gone but it is not so clear if they have enough votes to impeach.
Heastie (D) said in his statement that the allegations against Cuomo were serious enough to warrant an investigation. They may not have enough votes to impeach Cuomo but if there are more people wanting to impeach than keep him, it would be a total embarrassment. And even if he beats the impeachment, he could easily lose his reelection bid which only requires a simple majority.
It was Cuomo’s father who became so unpopular that New York actually voted in George Pataki, a Republican for two terms.
The same thing could happen again unless Cuomo loses his primary. It will be harder for Cuomo to browbeat members of the legislature to support him because no one wants to be seen giving aid and comfort to a serial abuser.
There are some crimes that even Democrats can’t abide by.
Heastie wrote:
“After meeting with the Assembly Majority Conference today, I am authorizing the Assembly Judiciary Committee to begin an impeachment investigation, led by Chair Charles D. Lavine, to examine allegations of misconduct against Governor Cuomo.
“The reports of accusations concerning the governor are serious. The committee will have the authority to interview witnesses, subpoena documents, and evaluate evidence, as is allowed by the New York State Constitution. I have the utmost faith that Assemblymember Lavine and the members of the committee will conduct an expeditious, full and thorough investigation.”
“This inquiry will not interfere with the independent investigation being conducted by Attorney General James.”
The embattled Democrat has addressed many of the accusations and claimed that they were the result of misunderstandings, but he has not admitted to committing unwanted physical contact with the accusers.
On Wednesday a sixth accuser came forward and claimed that Cuomo had reached under her blouse and “aggressively groped” her while they were both in the governor’s mansion in 2020.
