New York State lawmakers announced that impeachment proceedings against embattled Governor Andrew Cuomo. Cuomo is expected to leave office on August 25 after a damning report was released calling allegations of sexual harassment against him credible.
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said in a statement Friday that he was advised that the state’s constitution “does not authorize the legislature to impeach and remove an elected official who is no longer in office.” Cuomo’s resignation eliminates the central question of the investigation, “whether Governor Cuomo should remain in office.”
Cuomo has denied any wrongdoing and told New York magazine he believes that he would win an impeachment trial. But Heastie thinks the evidence against Cuomo is credible and would “have resulted in articles of impeachment had he not resigned.”
The announcement shocked some Democratic lawmakers who were intent on following through with the impeachment process. Even after Cuomo leaves office, a formal conviction could prevent the former governor from running for office in the future.
Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul will replace Cuomo as governor. She already announced she intends to run for re-election in 2022.
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