Cuomo aides subpoenaed in sexual-harassment probe: report

Dozens of officials and aides working in Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s (D-N.Y.) office have been subpoenaed in the sexual harassment investigation against the embattled governor, The Wall Street Journal reports.

Melissa DeRosa, secretary to the governor, is among those required to produce documentation as evidence in the ongoing investigation. According to the Journal, DeRosa has been a staple in the governor’s pandemic response over the past year.

“No one should be surprised that the AG’s office is issuing requests for documents and interviewing witnesses, including many who work for the governor,” Paul Fishman, a lawyer representing Mr. Cuomo’s administration, told the WSJ.

He added, “That happens in every investigation, and it’s wildly premature to speculate what it means. Good, thorough, and fair investigations take time.”

Fishman did not immediately respond to The Hill’s request for comment.

The investigation into Cuomo, run by New York State Attorney General Letitia James, began after several of Cuomo’s former, and current, female aides came forward with allegations against the Democratic governor.

Most recently, Cuomo’s current aide Alyssa McGrath shared unflattering stories about the governor’s behavior in a March 19 New York Times article. 

Despite resignation calls from Democrats and Republicans alike, Cuomo has refused to step down from his post, denying the allegations.

The New York governor has also faced scrutiny over his handling of COVID-19 cases in the state’s nursing homes, and recently over claims that he ordered special COVID-19 testing for his family and members of his administration.