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James moving ahead with Cuomo harassment probe

New York state Attorney General Letitia James said Monday a referral letter has been issued granting her request to investigate allegations of sexual harassment against Gov. Andrew Cuomo. AP photo

New York state Attorney General Letitia James on Monday said the executive chamber has issued a referral letter granting her request to investigate allegations of sexual harassment against the embattled governor.

“Today, the executive chamber transmitted a referral letter to our office, providing us the authority to move forward with an independent investigation into allegations of sexual harassment claims made against Governor (Andrew) Cuomo,” she said. “This is not a responsibility we take lightly as allegations of sexual harassment should always be taken seriously. As the letter states, at the close of the review, the findings will be disclosed in a public report.”

James’ statement on Monday comes in the wake of area officials calling for a full investigation into the matter. On Sunday state Sen. George Borrello said the truth must come out regarding these complaints. “The accusations of sexual harassment by two former aides to Governor Cuomo are serious and must be fully investigated,” he said. “The women involved have shown great courage in coming forward, even though they recognized the media scrutiny and administration denials that their accusations would ignite.

“A full and independent investigation of these allegations needs to begin immediately, by a special prosecutor appointed by the attorney general. The governor’s attempt to steer the investigation to someone of his choosing is offensive and wholly unacceptable. We owe it to these brave women and all New Yorkers to get to the truth.”

State Assemblyman Joe Giglio, R-Gowanda, called the latest allegations of sexual harassment “extremely disturbing.”

“The governor’s attempt to appoint the leader of the investigation was outrageous and disturbing, yet still more of what we have come to expect as business as usual from his office,” Giglio said. “Thankfully, this has not been allowed to happen and an investigation will be made.

“Also difficult to comprehend are the subsequent actions and conduct of the governor’s staff after this young woman took her sexual harassment complaint to the chief of staff and special counsel. Their ‘resolve’ of the situation, to simply transfer her without any formal investigation, is absolutely disgraceful and reflects an atmosphere of corruption, portraying the governor’s office as above the law.

“No apology is adequate for what has been done to the young women ‘mentored’ by this governor. A truly independent investigation is the only right way to adequately resolve these allegations, and must be taken up immediately and completely.

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