#Law firm tapped to probe Gov. Cuomo has ‘conflict of interest’
“#Law firm tapped to probe Gov. Cuomo has ‘conflict of interest’”
The white-shoe law firm hired by the New York state Assembly to probe Gov. Andrew Cuomo has ties to Chief Judge Janet DiFiore — posing a possible conflict of interest, critics say.
Cuomo appointee DiFiore is married to Dennis Glazer, who spent more than 30 years as a partner at Davis Polk & Wardwell — the firm tapped by the Assembly on Wednesday.
Debra Katz, the lawyer for one of Cuomo’s seven accusers, Charlotte Bennett, slammed the connection as an “unacceptable conflict of interest.”
“The impeachment investigation must operate free of political influence and must be transparent, detailing for the public the steps being taken to protect the integrity of their impeachment investigation,” Katz said in a statement.
“We already know the extent to which Governor Cuomo has surrounded himself with people in the Executive Chamber who enabled his behavior and swept evidence of sexual harassment under the rug. If there is even a hint of political influence in the impeachment investigation, it will taint the entire proceedings.”
Amid mounting allegations of sexual misconduct, Cuomo late last month asked state Attorney General Letitia James and DiFiore, whom he appointed as the chief judge of the Court of Appeals in 2015, to jointly appoint an investigator to look into the claims.
James shot down the request, saying it was her job as AG to probe Cuomo.
Cuomo stands accused of sexually harassing and groping multiple women, including former aides. He has denied the claims.
If an impeachment trial against Cuomo does move forward, all 63 members of the state Senate, as well as the judges on the Court of Appeals — who were all appointed by the governor — would cast a vote.
Additional reporting by Larry Celona
If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on Google News too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.
For forums sites go to Forum.BuradaBiliyorum.Com
If you want to read more News articles, you can visit our News category.