ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Judiciary Committee Chair Charles Lavine announced on Wednesday that Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP will lead an impeachment investigation into allegations against Governor Andrew Cuomo.
“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 manner.”
“The addition of Davis Polk will allow my colleagues on the Judiciary Committee and me to fully and fairly investigate the allegations,” Assemblymember Lavine said. “These are serious allegations, and they will be treated with fairness, due process, and discretion.”
Still, two women accusing the governor of harassment are criticizing the Assembly’s choice. Lindsey Boylan said she wouldn’t cooperate with the inquiry, and Charlotte Bennett objected due to the firm’s past affiliation with a Cuomo political appointee.
Davis Polk is an international law firm with expertise in sensitive investigations, says Heastie’s office. Their team, including Angela Burgess, Greg Andres, and Martine Beamon, will work with Assemblymember Lavine and the Assembly Judiciary Committee on the investigation. The Committee has authorized the firm to “pursue all the evidence to determine the extent to which violations of the law have occurred.”
Collectively, the three lawyers have experience working in matters of sexual misconduct, anti-corruption, and financial crimes. The firm has worked on some high-profile and landmark cases over the years.
New York Chief Judge Janet DiFiore has been complimentary of the firm’s work in the past, and her husband, Dennis Glazer, who now serves on the board for SUNY Purchase, previously worked as a partner for Davis Polk. Governor Cuomo had tried to include Judge DiFiore in Attorney General Letitia James’ investigation into the sexual harassment claims.
NEWS10 ABC’s Giuliana Bruno reached out to Judge DiFiore’s office for comment on the Speaker and Judiciary Committee’s decision to hire Davis Polk & Wardwell. They responded with the following statement:
“Davis Polk is a large multinational law firm. The Chief Judge has neither any connection to the firm nor was involved with its choice by the Assembly Judiciary Committee.”
Lucian Chalfen
NY Courts Director of Public Information
