Uh-oh. Recall this statement from New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio about Governor Andrew Cuomo’s, ah…problems? Said the Mayor, with bold print supplied for emphasis:
“But people have to believe you to be effective as a leader and obviously you know what the state Senate majority leader said was a powerful statement. Unfortunately, you know, it’s a situation where fewer and fewer people are believing what the governor is saying and that has to be addressed… And I think there’s more information that’s going to come out that’ll just make it harder and harder.”
De Blasio was right.
Here’s the newest breaking news headline from The Albany Times-Union:
Cuomo faces new sexual harassment allegation, this time at Executive Mansion
Female aide claims governor touched her inappropriately; complaint reported to AG
The story says:
“ALBANY — A sixth woman has come forward and leveled allegations of sexual harassment or inappropriate conduct against Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, and a supervisor in the Executive Chamber recently became aware the woman had alleged that the governor inappropriately touched her late last year during an encounter at the governor’s mansion, where she had been summoned to do work.”
Recall: This was the governor the media swooned over last summer for his handling of the Covid situation. And now, not only is he awash in six allegations of sexual misconduct but Republicans in the state legislature have filed an impeachment resolution citing Cuomo specifically for lying about his actions in placing seniors in Covid infected nursing homes, resulting in the deaths of thousands – with thousands of deaths unreported.
Plainly put: Andrew Cuomo’s political career is toast. Over.
On top of this there is a demand from a Democratic legislator – say again a Democrat – that Cuomo reveal the details of the fat book contract he got last year. Assemblyman Ron Kim’s (D-Queens) statement said:
“We are calling on Andrew Cuomo and Crown Publishing to turn over the Governor’s contract of his book deal to the public and media so we can determine whether he had a financial motivation to deflate nursing home data.”
Bad enough that Cuomo stands accused of lying about the nursing home deaths. Now he stands accused of lying about it to get a book deal.
Got all this? New York’s governor is now facing six – say again six! – accusations of sexual misconduct, plus an allegation of lying about the nursing home scandal and then lying about the lie. Plus doing the latter to get a rich book deal.
So what are we seeing here?
The Times-Union also notes: “…the governor’s political Teflon shows signs of corrosion, with lawmakers, journalists and former staffers coming forward to describe a culture of bullying and intimidation involving Cuomo and his inner circle.”
That would be a polite way of saying that the collective weight of his conduct over the years has finally caught up with the governor. Plainly put: Andrew Cuomo’s political career is toast. Over.
And you can bet there are all sorts of people around Albany and New York Democratic politics who are cheering.
