Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple said Friday he was surprised at the speed of the release of the criminal complaint filed against former Gov. Andrew Cuomo for forcible touching, saying it came out at an accelerated rate.

The complaint, a misdemeanor, was filed against Cuomo on Thursday in Albany City Court, and accuses Cuomo of reaching under the blouse of a woman on Dec. 7, 2020 while at the Executive Mansion in Albany. Albany City Court issued a criminal summons for Cuomo to appear in court on Nov. 17.

“A packet was sent down to Albany City Court for review. As a result of that review, a criminal summons was issued," Apple said at a news conference Friday.

The sheriff’s office began an investigation after 11 women came forward with allegations of sexual harassment and sexual abuse against the governor, which were documented in a report issued in August by state Attorney General Letitia James, who officially announced her run for governor on Friday.

Apple said that investigators went through thousands of documents, executed search warrants and interviewed witnesses, and said in a statement Thursday that "there was enough probable cause to present evidence to the court."

The sheriff also said they worked with the same law firm that is leading the state Assembly’s investigation into Cuomo, saying Davis Polk & Wardwell had uncovered evidence related to the sexual harassment allegations against Cuomo, which was shared.

Despite the leak of the complaint, Apple said that doesn't change the integrity of the report.

“The release has nothing to do with the case," he said, but added that he regrets that it was leaked before an arraignment.

Cuomo announced his resignation days after James issued her report, but his representatives have since then continued to blast the integrity of the report and the attorney general. Following the news of the criminal complaint, Cuomo's attorney and spokesman also criticized Sheriff Apple's handling of the affair, with attorney Rita Glavin saying that "the heavy hand of politics is behind" the decision to issue the complain. Apple shrugged off those accusations.

Apple said Friday he would've preferred to have a deeper conversation with the Albany County district attorney, who was also surprised by the release, and Cuomo's attorney.

The state Assembly is expected to issue a detailed report about multiple controversies surrounding Cuomo, including the sexual abuse accusations.