Should New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo be arrested?
Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., thinks so.
Stefanik, the third highest ranking Republican, called for the immediate resignation and arrest of Cuomo after revelations about sexual harassment.
Stefanik says she was the first federal official to call for an investigation into the sexual harassment accusations against Cuomo. Eventually, New York Attorney General Letitia James began investigating these accusations.
Earlier today, James released a report of her findings. The investigation concluded that Cuomo had committed sexual harassment.
At 168 pages, the James report goes into shocking detail.
In one paragraph, James describes Cuomo’s encounter with an unnamed executive assistant. James wrote, “The Governor grabbed [her] butt while they took a selfie in the Executive Mansion, and where the Governor, during a hug, reached under [her] blouse and grabbed her breast.”
Plus, the James report also found that Cuomo committed unlawful retaliation against one accuser, Lindsey Boylan. Reportedly, Cuomo’s office tried to smear Boylan’s reputation. The governor’s office allegedly leaked unflattering files from its personnel department.
One witness said, “I would be in the room when they were actively trying to discredit [Boylan]. They were actively trying to portray a different story of it. Trying to make her seem like she was crazy and wanting to get her personnel file out.”
The report says, “We have reached the conclusion that the Governor sexually harassed a number of State employees. … The Executive Chamber’s response to one complainant’s allegations constituted unlawful retaliation to his interactions with others outside of State government.”
The word “unlawful” says it all!
However, James — a Democrat — declined to arrest Cuomo.
In a press conference today, one reporter asked James whether she would refer Cuomo to the prosecutor.
James responded, “Our work has concluded, and the document is now public. And the matter is civil in nature and does not have any criminal consequences.”
When asked about the next steps, James said, “As it relates to next steps, that’s entirely up to the Governor and the Assembly and the general public.
Elise Stefanik has some ideas about the next steps!
🚨🚨 MY FULL STATEMENT CALLING FOR THE ARREST OF GOVERNOR CUOMO 🚨🚨 pic.twitter.com/Xxl5ugsxTk
— Elise Stefanik (@EliseStefanik) August 3, 2021
Earlier this year, Stefanik replaced Rep. Liz Cheney, R-M.T., as chair of the House Republican Conference.
Stefanik was ahead of the curve when she demanded an investigation into Cuomo’s office.
Will more high-ranking officials call for Cuomo’s arrest?
The Horn editorial team