The New York State Assembly announced on Thursday that it is opening an impeachment inquiry into Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D).
Cuomo is facing two scandals: in recent weeks, several women have accused him of sexual harassment, including one aide who claimed he groped her last year, and his administration is being criticized for the way it reported the coronavirus-related deaths of nursing home residents.
The State Assembly's judiciary committee will investigate the allegations, and will have the authorization to interview witnesses and subpoena documents, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (D) said.
Earlier Thursday, 59 Democratic members of the New York State Legislature signed a statement calling on Cuomo to immediately step down. Cuomo has denied touching anyone inappropriately, and apologized for making comments that made aides feel uncomfortable. He has repeatedly said he will not resign, and wants New Yorkers to wait for the results of an investigation overseen by the New York attorney general.