By Axios | Created at 2024-09-26 13:18:21 | Updated at 2024-09-30 07:20:15
3 days ago
Even before news broke of New York City Mayor Eric Adams' indictment, former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo was already signaling to allies that he was preparing to run for mayor, according to two people familiar with the matter.
Why it matters: From a star in Democratic politics to a disgraced governor pushed to resign amid a sexual harassment scandal, Cuomo's dramatic rise and fall could soon have another chapter.
Driving the news: The New York Times first reported Wednesday that Adams had been federally indicted. The charges have not yet been revealed.
- While Adams is adamant he will not be stepping down, he is already facing a tough Democratic primary next year on top of mounting calls to resign.
- Cuomo's formal entrance into the fray would be a wildcard. He still has millions in leftover campaign funds.
- A request from Axios about his future plans was not immediately returned Thursday morning.
Catch up quick: Cuomo announced in 2021 that he would resign as governor after an independent investigation found he sexually harassed multiple women.
- In January 2022, a sex crime charge against Cuomo was dismissed after the Albany County District Attorney said that while the complaint was "credible," they did not have the necessary evidence.
- In response to the investigation, Cuomo filed a state ethics compliant later that year against New York Attorney General Letitia James, accusing her of intentionally mishandling the investigation.
- He sued James and her office earlier this year, requesting dozens of witness statements from the probe into him.
- The Department of Justice found Cuomo and his executive staff maintained a sexually hostile work environment and violated federal retaliation rules, but the agency reached an agreement to resolve the claims, which Cuomo denies.
Go deeper: New York City's web of scandals
