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#Top Cuomo officials subpoenaed in harassment investigation

#Top Cuomo officials subpoenaed in harassment investigation

Dozens of Albany officials– including top Cuomo aide Melissa DeRosa — have been subpoenaed by the state Attorney General’s Office as part of its investigation into sexual-harassment accusations against the governor, a report said Friday.

The officials are being asked to produce documents related to the investigation, which is also probing DeRosa’s role according to The Wall Street Journal.

Ex-aide Ana Liss, who has accused Cuomo of inappropriate conduct, said investigators questioned her about DeRosa’s behavior as communications director in 2014 in Albany, the newspaper said.

“They were trying to figure out if I was targeted by Melissa,” Liss told the paper, adding that she told probers she didn’t interact much with DeRosa at the time.

Melissa DeRosa, one of Governor Cuomo's aides, was one of the people subpoenaed on Friday as the sexual harassment allegations against the Governor further.
Melissa DeRosa, one of Governor Cuomo’s aides, was one of the people subpoenaed on Friday as the sexual harassment allegations against the Governor further.
AP

“No one should be surprised that the AG’s office is issuing requests for documents and interviewing witnesses, including many who work for the governor,” Paul Fishman, a lawyer for the Cuomo administration told the paper.

“That happens in every investigation, and it’s wildly premature to speculate what it means. Good, thorough and fair investigations take time.”

Cuomo has been accused of workplace harassment by at least seven women. He’s denied any inappropriate touching, and apologized to anyone he made uncomfortable.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, right, followed by Melissa DeRosa, Secretary to the Governor, leave after Cuomo spoke during a news conference, Wednesday, May 27, 2020.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, right, followed by Melissa DeRosa, Secretary to the Governor, leave after Cuomo spoke during a news conference, Wednesday, May 27, 2020.
AP

The three-term governor has said he won’t resign, even as top lawmakers in Albany and Washington call for his ouster.

After her daily appearances by Cuomo’s side at his COVID-19 updates, DeRosa was thrust under the microscope after her private apology to Democratic lawmakers for withholding the state’s nursing home death toll was revealed by The Post.

She has stood by her longtime boss amid the accusations of inappropriate behavior, as accusations of her own bullying and berating behavior in the workplace came to light.

DeRosa and other aides contacted staff members to ask them about Lindsey Boylan, after the former official made the first allegations against the governor, the Journal has reported.

Secretary to the Governor Melissa DeRosa, is joined by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo as she speaks to reporters during a news conference.
Secretary to the Governor Melissa DeRosa, is joined by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo as she speaks to reporters during a news conference.
AP

Liss has said she was on the receiving end of one of those calls from senior advisor Rich Azzopardi, and reportedly told investigators she viewed it as a form of intimidation.

Azzopardi said the call was not meant to intimidate, according to the paper. Cuomo denied Boylan’s accusations.

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