As Governor Andrew Cuomo faces a probe into newly alleged sexual harassment against a second former staffer, a Bronx senator says it’s time for him to go.
Calling Cuomo a “monster” on Twitter, Senator and sexual abuse survivor Alessandra Biaggi expressed her disgust with the Governor in a written statement which called on Cuomo to leave his post after allegedly sexually harassing two former staffers, Lindsey Boylan and Charlotte Bennett.
.@NYGovCuomo, you are a monster, and it is time for you to go. Now.
— Alessandra Biaggi (@Biaggi4NY) February 27, 2021
“I am especially horrified by the comments the Governor made to Charlotte about her experience with sexual assault – comments he did not deny making. They are the epitome of a hostile work environment,” Biaggi stated, adding that “the harassment experienced by these former staffers is part of a clear pattern of abuse and manipulation by the Governor, and that pattern makes him unworthy of holding the highest office in New York.”
Biaggi, who chairs the senate’s ethics and internal governance committee also criticized and questioned how truly independent this investigation could be as, in her own words, “the Governor’s influence touches all entities in New York that might review his conduct.”
“The current review, arranged by the Governor’s team and overseen by an individual who has a work history with his close associates, does not meet any standard of independence. While a truly independent investigation may uncover more evidence or instances of abuse, the existing details are sufficient for me to form my conclusion,” Biaggi wrote just before formally calling on Cuomo’s resignation.
Bronx Assemblywoman and borough president candidate Nathalia Fernandez also called on the governor to step down pending credible results of his upcoming investigation.
“Being an elected official is a privilege. As such, we have to ensure every woman can work in an environment free of sexual harassment,” Fernandez stated.
“While Governor Cuomo seems to have listened to the many of us who have called for an independent investigation, his referral must be immediate and ensure that the Attorney General has subpoena powers,” the lawmaker added.
These new allegations against Cuomo surface after weeks of supposed scandals regarding the ‘void’ of underreporting nursing home fatalities and allegedly threatening harsh retaliation against Assemblyman Ron Kim.
