Two former state employees in the past week outlined specific allegations of sexual harassment against the governor: one said the governor kissed her while they were alone in his office and asked her if she wanted to "play strip poker", while a second woman in her mid-20s said the governor asked her about her sex life and whether she would have relationships with older men. "While I have deep respect for Chief Judge DiFiore, I am the duly elected attorney general and it is my responsibility to carry out this task, per Executive Law", said AG James.

Sen. Brad Hoylman, a Manhattan Democrat, said on Twitter, "As chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee I think it's wholly inappropriate for Chief Judge DiFiore - who was appointed by the Governor and who would have a constitutional role in potential future proceedings - to be part of the investigation process".

NY was one of the USA states worst hit by the pandemic and the governor won widespread praise for his response.

In the interview, she said that in June past year Mr Cuomo had talked about feeling lonely during the pandemic and had asked her whom she had last hugged.

Even if he stays in office for the remainder of his term- who might run in 2022 for governor?

Now, the Democratic governor is struggling through a sexual harassment scandal that's testing the limits of his party's support as Democrats grapple with one of the first political headaches of the post-Trump era.

But following sharp rebukes from Democrats, Cuomo reversed that decision - and issued a statement late on Sunday saying he "never meant to offend anyone or cause harm".

It was unclear whether the proposal would appease legislative leaders and other top Democrats who had assailed Cuomo's initial plan to appoint a retired federal judge to review his workplace conduct.

On Wednesday, Boylan said in a blog that Cuomo had harassed her when she was working for his administration, from 2015 to 2018. Asked why she did not seek a formal investigation, Bennett said she chose to move on.

"I understood that the governor wanted to sleep with me, and felt horribly uncomfortable and scared", she said.

The allegations Saturday came just four days after another ex-aide, Lindsey Boylan, described unwanted physical contact from Cuomo.

Another former aide, Lindsey Boylan, recently accused Cuomo of subjecting her to unwanted kissing and inappropriate comments.

The state's attorney general, Letitia James, said that Cuomo's office had written to her granting her request to set up an independent probe into the accusations.

Earlier Sunday, Senator Mazie Hirono, a Democrat from Hawaii, had joined in calls for a truly independent inquiry.

"The Governor's Office wants a review of the sexual harassment claims made against the Governor to be done in a manner beyond reproach", Garvey said, adding that Cuomo's office will "cooperate fully" with the investigation. Although the Cuomo brothers segments drew criticism and some consternation in journalism circles, the network's chief Jeff Zucker, in an interview with The New York Times, defended the brothers' "authenticity and relatability and vulnerability".

The latest accusation follows sexual harassment allegations against the governor from two women who had worked for his administration, accounts that led New York's independently elected attorney general to say she was moving ahead with an investigation of his conduct. I have spent nearly my entire career in public service, and I remember the times when my female colleagues and I knew we couldn't raise our voices about inappropriate behavior without jeopardizing our jobs and our careers.

The referral letter was sent Monday.

"It feels a little bit like when Speaker Silver was on his last legs, the canceling of session, the not knowing what to do", says Ra. The harassment experienced by these former staffers is part of a clear pattern of abuse and manipulation by the Governor, and that pattern makes him unworthy of holding the highest office in NY.