Congresswoman Rice calls on Cuomo to resign over sexual harassment accusations

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U.S. Rep. Kathleen Rice, who represents the South Shore's 4th District, late Monday called on New York's Democratic governor, Andrew Cuomo, to resign after a third woman came forward accusing him of sexual harassment.

Rice, a Democrat, tweeted, "The time has come. The Governor must resign." Below it, she posted a New York Times story detailing the third woman's accusations that Cuomo had inappropriately approached her at a wedding in 2019, wrapping his hands around her cheeks, as seen in a photograph, and asking to kiss her. The incident, according to The Times, was recorded contemporaneously in text messages.

“I was so confused and shocked and embarrassed,” Anna Ruch, 33, told The Times. Ruch, who worked for the Obama administration and on President Joe Biden's 2020 campaign, was not employed by New York state at the time. Cuomo's previous two accusers had worked for him.

Rice has been a vocal critic of Cuomo's alleged behavior since the accusations against him first surfaced last week. 

On Feb. 27, she tweeted, "This is no joke. There must be an independent investigation into these allegations. The accused CANNOT appoint the investigator. PERIOD."

The next day, she followed up with, "Enough is enough. The accused is still trying to control this process. Make the referral to the AG with subpoena power ASAP."

State Attorney General Letitia James, a Democrat, will oversee the investigation into Cuomo's alleged actions. She will have subpoena power.

Cuomo, who had called for an independent counsel to investigate the accusations, has said that his actions “have been misinterpreted as an unwanted flirtation."

“To the extent anyone felt that way, I am truly sorry about that,” a statement by his office read.

More to follow.