Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas’ Statement on the New York State Attorney General’s Report on Sexual Harassment by the New York State Governor

The report by our New York State Attorney General, Letitia James, has found what many of us knew to be true. The Governor “engaged in sexual harassment and created a hostile work environment” and violated both federal and state law. He was given the opportunity, multiple times, to resign of his own accord and he refused. Today, during his press conference, he engaged in gaslighting tactics that were harmful and offensive to survivors across this state. Many called for us to wait for the results of this investigation. We did so and now the facts are clear.

Governor Cuomo must be impeached.

Additionally, because sexual violence is so pervasive and insidious, I reiterate that the state legislature must take concrete steps to address this institutional violence. I thank the courageous survivors who have come forward despite the egregious retaliation that they faced.I call on our legislature to pass necessary reform supported by the Sexual Harassment Working Group and other bills that will address this from a systemic level next session. It is the least that we can do for survivors.