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The lawyer, Debra Katz, said she was alarmed to learn of the firm s retention and warned that it may affect the willingness of Bennett and other Cuomo accusers to cooperate with the Assembly s investigation.
Katz s objection is based on two facts. State Court of Appeals Chief Judge Janet DiFiore, who would be a juror in a Senate trial of Cuomo if he is impeached, is married to former longtime David Polk partner Dennis Glazer. And, Cuomo appointed Glazer to the board of the State University of New York, Purchase.
Last month, Cuomo failed in his effort to get state Attorney General Letitia James to agree to conduct the investigation of him in conjunction with DiFiore. That effort was seen as a bid by Cuomo to have some measure of political sway over the probe.
March 17, 2021 at 3:58 PM
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When the New York state Assembly hired a law firm to investigate the allegations swirling around Governor Andrew Cuomo, it was always going to be an elite firm. Maybe a top-flight boutique, but probably a ginormous Biglaw firm able to wield the legal know-how and brute force necessary to handle such a high-profile investigation.
Biglaw firm Davis Polk got the nod for this assignment. Today, Speaker Carl Heastie and Judiciary Committee Chair Charles D. Lavine made the announcement:
“Since Thursday, Chairman Lavine led a vigorous search for a top-flight firm to assist with the investigation. I have the utmost faith that Assemblymember Lavine and our Judiciary Committee will conduct a full and fair investigation,” Speaker Heastie said. “Hiring Davis Polk will give the Committee the experience, independence and resources needed to handle this important investigation in a thorough and expeditious ma
Fox News correspondent Bryan Llenas reports from Brooklyn.
The lawyer of one of the women accusing New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo of sexual harassment is slamming the state assembly’s choice in retaining law firm Davis Polk to lead its impeachment investigation, calling it an unacceptable conflict of interest due to the firm’s alleged connection to the governor.
The New York State Assembly on Wednesday announced it had retained Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP to lead the impeachment probe for Cuomo, after seven women leveled allegations of sexual misconduct against him.
The attorney for Charlotte Bennett, one of the women accusing Cuomo, pointed to the firm’s alleged connection to a Cuomo ally, and said their involvement would taint the entire proceedings.