Pelosi, Biden step up critique of Cuomo, but stop short of calling for immediate resignation

ALBANY, N.Y. — Add House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi to those who think Gov. Andrew Cuomo should resign if allegations of sexual harassment are proven true in twin investigations into his conduct.

Pelosi followed a refrain offered Tuesday night by President Joe Biden, who also said Cuomo should step down if investigations by the Attorney General's Office and the state Assembly deem true the allegations from at least six women — mainly former aides — that he sexually harassed them.

"People have to unlearn some bad behavior in order to learn how we should go forward, and again, if these allegations are proven to be true, then zero tolerance would follow that the governor should not continue," Pelosi said Wednesday on MSNBC.

Biden also encouraged Cuomo to step aside if the reviews demonstrate that Cuomo made sexually suggestive comments to women and, in one case, is accused of groping a young, female aide at the governor's mansion last year.

Asked by ABC News's George Stephanopoulos if Cuomo should resign if the allegations are proven true, Biden said, "Yes, and I think he'll probably end up being prosecuted too."

But Biden didn't say Cuomo should resign at this point: "There should be an investigation to determine whether what she says is true. That's what's going on now."

Pelosi said she believes Cuomo supports zero tolerance when it comes to sexual harassment, calling the allegations "heartbreaking."

"We have zero tolerance for the behavior that is alleged against the governor," she said.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, center left, joins New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, center right, as they pose for a picture after signing a gun control bill at a ceremony in New York, Monday, Feb. 25, 2019. Cuomo signed a "red flag" bill, which attempts to prevent people who present a threat to themselves or others from purchasing or owning a gun.

The comments from the two top Democratic leaders, who have enjoyed close relationships with Cuomo over decades, were their strongest yet on the scandal as Cuomo has he vowed not to resign and has urged people to withhold their decision until the probes are completed.

But other Democratic leaders are not waiting: Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand on Friday called on Cuomo to resign, as did most New York members of the U.S. House, as well as many members of the state Legislature, including Senate Democratic Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins.

On Wednesday, the state Assembly said it hired a private law firm to investigate Cuomo's behavior, as well as his office's undercounting of COVID-19 nursing home deaths and construction concerns of the new Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge in the Hudson Valley.

"These are serious allegations, and they will be treated with fairness, due process and discretion," Assemblyman Charles Lavine, D-Nassau County, who is heading the probe.

Source:-https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2021/03/17/pelosi-biden-cuomo-resignation-new-york/4731712001/

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