New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is facing a possible impeachment trial after an investigation found that he sexually harassed 11 women during more than a decade in office.
Some women described being groped, kissed or sitting on the Governor’s lap.
At least 82 of the state assembly’s 150 members have said they favour initiating the process of ousting the Democrat if he refuses to quit.
President Joe Biden has called on Mr Cuomo to resign.
A simple majority of assembly members is needed to authorise an impeachment trial.
Mr Cuomo, 63, has denied making any inappropriate sexual advances and insisted the findings of the state attorney general’s inquiry did not reflect the facts.
He blamed the complaints on cultural and generational misunderstandings: He hugs, he kisses, he says ‘ciao bella’, sometimes he lapses into “honey” or “sweetheart” or tells bad jokes.
In his response to the independent investigation, Mr Cuomo cited his own family member’s sexual assault to explain his behaviour with one of his accusers.
In a taped statement Tuesday, he denied ever touching anyone inappropriately but apologised to two accusers.
The National Women’s Law Center and several gender and survivor groups have written an open letter, to be released on Thursday, demanding the Democratic governor’s resignation or removal.
“We will not be moved by Governor Cuomo‘s attempts to use the stories of survivors, including those he harassed, as a shield for his own misconduct and abuse of power all while claiming the harassment was a ‘misunderstanding,”’ it reads.
Tarana Burke, the survivor and advocate who gave the #MeToo movement its name, wrote in an email that “abusers, no matter their own personal histories, do not get to centre themselves in cases of abuse.”
The allegations that investigators said they corroborated ranged from inappropriate comments to forced kisses and groping.
A majority of NY state Assembly members now favour impeaching Gov Cuomo if he does not resign, according to reports.
