SERINO JOINS COLLEAGUES IN CALLING FOR SPECIAL PROSECUTOR TO INDEPENDENTLY INVESTIGATE SEXUAL HARASSMENT CLAIMS AGAINST CUOMO

HYDE PARK, NY – With allegations of sexual harassment being leveled today by a former staff person against Governor Andrew Cuomo, Senator Sue Serino has joined her colleagues in calling for a Special Prosecutor to be appointed to independently investigate the claims. After sending the letter, Senator Serino released the following statement:

“We have a duty to take allegations of sexual harassment seriously, and we must take steps immediately to conduct a thorough, independent investigation into these claims. Currently, the body charged with investigating such claims—the Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE)—is effectively controlled by the Governor, making it necessary for a Special Prosecutor to be appointed to ensure an investigation can proceed free from any influence.

We also have a duty to ensure that victims have access to a process they can trust to report misconduct and hold perpetrators accountable. That has been missing in Albany for far too long, which is why I have sponsored legislation for years to create a truly independent commission to evaluate such claims, and it is needed now more than ever. I stand ready to work with any of my colleagues to advance a proposal to establish a fully independent process to put an end to the culture that has seemingly let secrecy and sexual harassment permeate our government for far too long.”

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