New York Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie announced Friday the chamber will suspend its impeachment investigation of Gov. Andrew Cuomo following his decision to resign effective Aug. 25.
Why it matters: Cuomo decided to step down after the state attorney general released an independent report that found the governor had sexually harassed at least 11 women.
The big picture: Heastie said in a statement Friday that the probe was meant to determine whether the governor should remain in office and his resignation answers that directive.
"Let me be clear — the committee's work over the last several months, although not complete, did uncover credible evidence in relation to allegations that have been made in reference to the governor," Heastie said in a statement.
- "As I have said, this has been a tragic chapter in our state's history," the speaker added. "The people of this great state expect and deserve a government they can count on to always have their best interests in mind."
What to watch: Heastie said he asked Judiciary Committee Chair Charles Lavine to provide "all the evidence the committee has gathered" to relevant investigatory authorities.
- Cuomo faces open investigations for his multimillion-dollar book deal. The state attorney general is also reviewing the governor's response to COVID-related nursing home deaths data, per AP.
- Heastie also cited "active investigations" by county district attorneys in Manhattan, Albany, Westchester, Nassau and Oswego regarding incidents of Cuomo's alleged sexual harassment.
