06 August 2021
Attorneys for New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) on Friday called into question the results of an independent investigation published by state Attorney General Letitia James' office this week.
Why it matters: Cuomo faces a criminal investigation in Albany after the report alleged he sexually harassed multiple women, including employees in his office, in violation of state and federal law.
Driving the news: A woman who accused Cuomo of groping her breast last year filed a criminal complaint Thursday with the Albany County Sheriff’s office.
- It was the first known instance of an official report made directly by an alleged victim with a law enforcement agency over the governor's reported conduct
The report said Cuomo engaged in unwanted and inappropriate groping, kissing, hugging and comments that accusers called "deeply humiliating, uncomfortable, offensive, or inappropriate."
- It also found that Cuomo and his staff took steps to retaliate against at least one former employee for coming forward with her story.
- Cuomo denied the allegations in the report in a taped response on Tuesday, saying he never touched anyone inappropriately or made inappropriate sexual advances, and he would not resign.
What they're saying: Paul Fishman, who represents New York's executive chamber, criticized James' office for not sending Cuomo's representatives an advanced copy of the report, though state law did not entitle Cuomo's office to an advanced copy.
- Fishman also denied that Cuomo and other members of the executive chamber attempted to retaliate against an accuser.
- Rita Glavin, who represents Cuomo, said that there "has been no open minded fact finding in this case."
- "What I do know, based on the limited information we've been given access to, is there are contrary facts and omissions from that report," Glavin said, adding that Cuomo's attorneys were not able to review transcripts of witness interviews during the investigation.
The big picture: District attorneys for Manhattan and Westchester County are also investigating if alleged conduct highlighted in the report that occurred in their jurisdictions was criminal in nature.
- The New York State Assembly has requested evidence as part of its impeachment investigation into Cuomo, and his office said it would cooperate with the probe.
- Dozens of prominent Democrats, including President Biden, have called on Cuomo to step down.
- 63% of registered voters in New York who were polled in a recent survey said they believe that Cuomo should resign.
Go deeper: Aide who accused Cuomo of groping files criminal complaint
Transcripts show George Floyd told police "I can't breathe" over 20 times
Section2Newly released transcripts of bodycam footage from the Minneapolis Police Department show that George Floyd told officers he could not breathe more than 20 times in the moments leading up to his death.
Why it matters: Floyd's killing sparked a national wave of Black Lives Matter protests and an ongoing reckoning over systemic racism in the United States. The transcripts "offer one the most thorough and dramatic accounts" before Floyd's death, The New York Times writes.
The state of play: The transcripts were released as former officer Thomas Lane seeks to have the charges that he aided in Floyd's death thrown out in court, per the Times. He is one of four officers who have been charged.
- The filings also include a 60-page transcript of an interview with Lane. He said he "felt maybe that something was going on" when asked if he believed that Floyd was having a medical emergency at the time.
What the transcripts say:
- Floyd told the officers he was claustrophobic as they tried to get him into the squad car.
- The transcripts also show Floyd saying, "Momma, I love you. Tell my kids I love them. I'm dead."
- Former officer Derek Chauvin, who had his knee on Floyd's neck for over eight minutes, told Floyd, "Then stop talking, stop yelling, it takes a heck of a lot of oxygen to talk."
Read the transcripts via DocumentCloud.