#AG Letitia James fires back at Andrew Cuomo attempt to ‘undermine’ report

State Attorney General and 2022 Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Letitia James dismissed disgraced ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s latest criticisms of her bombshell sexual harassment report as part of his continued attempt to “undermine” and “politicize” her findings in the wake of criminal charges filed against the former pol.  

“Listen, we completed our investigation. Our investigation included thousands and thousands of pieces of evidence and substantiated and corroborated all of the allegations,” she said Monday morning on Manhattan’s Upper East Side when asked to respond.

“The Sheriff of Albany County has engaged in an independent investigation and my work is done. But I believe the women.” 

On Sunday, Cuomo fired off a lengthy missive from his campaign email address reiterating attacks on James’ Aug. 3 report — which concluded he sexually harassed 11 women — calling it a “sham” investigation and  arguing her own political aspirations to run for governor tainted the findings.

The former pol also claimed James coordinated with Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple before his office filed a misdemeanor criminal complaint against him for groping a female aide — and if convicted, could land him in jail for up to a year — dubbing them “political bedfellows” who are “abusing their office.”

Cuomo is due in Albany City Court on or before Nov. 17 where he will be arraigned, have his mugshot taken and be fingerprinted, according to Apple.

His attorney Rita Glavin also sent a letter Saturday to Apple and Albany County District Attorney David Soares requesting that the law enforcement agencies “preserve all records relating to your investigation into allegations concerning the Governor.”

“I think it’s important that individuals understand that the investigation of the Attorney General was as a result of a referral from the former governor of the state of New York. It’s not like I requested this investigation,” reminded James.

Governor Cuomo then said, ‘Let’s refer this matter over to Letitia James, because I believe in her,’” said James, noting last spring Cuomo formally requested that her office open a probe into the allegations of sexual misconduct.

“It’s unfortunate that he doesn’t agree with the result, the outcome, but it was an independent investigation, based on the corroboration and substantiation of 1,000s of pieces of evidence and witnesses. And, again, this is nothing more than an attempt by the former governor to undermine and to politicize this report, and again for him to describe it as “the big lie.” But it is not.” 

A spokesman for Cuomo responded in a statement saying James’ comments amount to “platitudes and deflections.”

“It’s been 33 days since Gubernatorial-wannabe Tish James said she was going to break her silence about her sham August 3 report yet she has refused to answer for the countless mistruths, mistakes and outright deceptions in it,” said Rich Azzopardi.

Meanwhile during a separate news conference held in Manhattan, Gov. Kathy Hochul did her best to ignore Cuomo’s attacks on the criminal charges filed against him, claiming she’s “too busy” to pay attention. 

“I am too busy to pay attention to this. I truly am. If you look at my schedule, you look at the responsibilities I have as governor. I’m not distracted whatsoever,” she told reporters.

“I will say and reiterate that I support the investigation, the results of the investigation and believe the women,” she added.

Hochul also dodged when asked about state Attorney General Letitia James entering the race as a formidable primary challenger. 

“You’re gonna try and bait me every day, my friends, I’m focused on governing,” she chided, refusing to answer when pressed as to whether or not James gave her a heads up last Friday when James officially announced her candidacy. 

“You guys aren’t gonna stop are you? I admire your perseverance…. I know how to work with people, whether they’re running against me or people who’ve lost to me you ask anyone in this my entire career.” 

“I can handle this. Bring it on,” she said. 

“I understand the difference between politics and the need to govern and I will continue my professional relationship with the Attorney General,” she noted, adding the pair will assume a “cordial” relationship going forward.