The New York state attorney general’s investigation into the sexual harassment allegations against Governor Andrew Cuomo could be in its final stages, despite contract extensions being drawn up for investigators.
Sources tell The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times that the attorney general’s investigation could be wrapped up before the end of the summer.
However, a benefit of extending these contracts is so the AG’s lawyers can help assist the separate Assembly impeachment investigation.
Democratic Assemblyman Phil Steck, who sits on the Judiciary Committee which is leading the impeachment investigation, says these investigators should be available to help answer any questions about their findings.
“I would say that I'd want to get a report from them as to what was said and what their conclusions were, what the evidence was and have them available for questions by the committee as a follow through because there may be some remaining questions after reading the report,” Steck explained.
Outside independent lawyers were first hired by the Attorney General’s Office on March 8, after numerous women came forward to accuse the governor of sexual harassment and inappropriate behavior.
This includes both former and current employees.
New York State Attorney General Letitia James chose Joon Kim, a former federal prosecutor, and Anne Clark, a prominent employment lawyer, to lead the investigation.
The Assembly impeachment investigation was not launched until March 17 and is extremely broad in its scope comparatively.
The law firm hired by the Assembly, Davis Polk & Wardwell, is investigating not only the sexual harassment allegations against Cuomo, but also whether the Cuomo administration withheld the number of COVID-related nursing home deaths, whether Cuomo used state resources to write his pandemic book and more.
While it is expected that the Attorney General’s Office will finish its investigation faster than the Assembly’s impeachment team, there is little the attorney general can do once these findings are published, if there is no actual crime that has been committed.
It will be up to the Assembly’s impeachment team to decide whether to use the attorney general’s findings as part of its own investigation.
Steck said he does hope things wrap up sooner rather than later.
“I told the committee chair that I think we certainly should be done with our work before the end of the year,” Steck said.
Republican Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh, who also is a part of the impeachment investigation, says she is not surprised contracts for the attorney general’s investigation are being extended.
“It's complex and to do a good job it may take a while,” Walsh said. “So I guess that doesn't really surprise me.”
At the last update provided about a month ago, Assembly impeachment investigators were given the authority to interview witnesses under oath.
Assembly impeachment investigators are set to meet again with the Judiciary Committee on August 9 and are expected to give an update on where things stand with witness interviews.