The leader of the New York State Assembly's impeachment investigation into Gov. Andrew Cuomo is warning of "severe repercussions" after a senior aide to the governor tweeted alleged "attempts to demean the Attorney General."
A tweet from senior Cuomo aide Richard Azzopardi discussing Attorney General Letitia James's potential political ambitions served "to undermine [her] investigation [into Cuomo] and send profoundly negative signals to witnesses," according to a Wednesday letter from Charles Lavine, the chairman of the Assembly's Judiciary Committee, which was addressed to top Cuomo aide Melissa DeRosa.
Lavine's letter said he warned Cuomo's office in a March 15 written notice: "In so sensitive a matter, it is both obvious and imperative that neither you nor anyone associated with you engage in intimidation, retaliation, or any attempt at intimidation or retaliation against any complainant or potential witness."
"It is therefore difficult for me to comprehend your communications director tweeting that Attorney General James, whose office is conducting a parallel investigation, 'says she may run against the governor,'" Lavine wrote Wednesday, saying Azzopardi's tweet "sends a chilling signal to any potential witnesses" and "may merit severe repercussions."
On July 11, Azzopardi referenced chatter that James will challenge Cuomo in the gubernatorial contest in a tweet slamming John Samuelsen, the international president of the Transport Workers Union. Samuelsen had recently announced he would no longer support Cuomo.
"Sameulson [sic] is an extortionist who is trying to undo pension reform. We also understand he is a political supporter of Tish James and she says she may run against the governor, and he wants more benefits in his contract. Everyone gets that," Azzopardi wrote.
(Excerpt) Read more at msn.com ...
A tweet from senior Cuomo aide Richard Azzopardi discussing Attorney General Letitia James's potential political ambitions served "to undermine [her] investigation [into Cuomo] and send profoundly negative signals to witnesses," according to a Wednesday letter from Charles Lavine, the chairman of the Assembly's Judiciary Committee, which was addressed to top Cuomo aide Melissa DeRosa.
Lavine's letter said he warned Cuomo's office in a March 15 written notice: "In so sensitive a matter, it is both obvious and imperative that neither you nor anyone associated with you engage in intimidation, retaliation, or any attempt at intimidation or retaliation against any complainant or potential witness."
"It is therefore difficult for me to comprehend your communications director tweeting that Attorney General James, whose office is conducting a parallel investigation, 'says she may run against the governor,'" Lavine wrote Wednesday, saying Azzopardi's tweet "sends a chilling signal to any potential witnesses" and "may merit severe repercussions."
On July 11, Azzopardi referenced chatter that James will challenge Cuomo in the gubernatorial contest in a tweet slamming John Samuelsen, the international president of the Transport Workers Union. Samuelsen had recently announced he would no longer support Cuomo.
"Sameulson [sic] is an extortionist who is trying to undo pension reform. We also understand he is a political supporter of Tish James and she says she may run against the governor, and he wants more benefits in his contract. Everyone gets that," Azzopardi wrote.
(Excerpt) Read more at msn.com ...
