Kim-Clark-Side-By-Side
ALBANY, N.Y. (77WABC) — New York Attorney General Letitia James on Monday appointed a former federal prosecutor and an employment lawyer to investigate allegations that Governor Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed female aides.
Joon Kim was the acting U.S. Attorney in Manhattan for parts of 2017 and 2018. He’ll join the employment lawyer Anne Clark in conducting the probe.
My office has appointed former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Joon H. Kim and employment discrimination attorney Anne L. Clark to lead our investigation into sexual harassment allegations against Governor Cuomo.
— NY AG James (@NewYorkStateAG) March 8, 2021
James said the pair are “independent, legal experts who have decades of experience conducting investigations and fighting to uphold the rule of law.”
The appointments came as New York lawmakers were privately debating whether to join calls for Cuomo to resign from office, or urge patience while the investigation is ongoing.
“We are committed to an independent and thorough investigation of the facts,” said Attorney General James. “Joon H. Kim and Anne L. Clark are independent, legal experts who have decades of experience conducting investigations and fighting to uphold the rule of law. There is no question they both have the knowledge and background necessary to lead this investigation and provide new yorkers with the answers they deserve.”
The announcement of the lead investigators comes just a day after Governor Andrew Cuomo responded to his most recent allegations of alleged improper behavior made by former staff members and aides this past weekend. In total five former female staffers have accused the 56th Governor of New York of inappropriate – uncomfortable behavior and sexual harassment. Two male staffers accused Cuomo of using derogatory and misogynistic language.
Cuomo responded to the latest allegations on Sunday during a teleconference call with reporters — as he responded to the U.S. Senate passage of the American Relief Plan, and the lifting of restrictions for restaurants in the suburbs of the city.
“I’m not going to get distracted by this because it is all irrelevant in the meantime because what is determinative is what the attorney general finds. That’s the factual finding and the Attorney General has to do her job and she’s very confident in doing it,” said Governor Cuomo during the briefing Sunday.
The investigative team, announced by Attorney General James, is charged with conducting a thorough and independent investigation into the alleged Cuomo sex harassment allegations. The Office of the Attorney General says they will also be looking into how the administration handled the allegations.
Investigators say they will issue a litany of subpoenas, examine relevant documents and records, conduct interviews and formal depositions, and analyze data and all necessary and pertinent information into the investigation.
Both U.S. Attorney Kim and Attorney Clark will present weekly reports to the Attorney General throughout the course of the investigation. At the conclusion of the report, Attorney General James says a written report will be produced and made available publically.
