Transcripts and associated exhibits from the independent inquiry into sexual harassment charges against former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo were made available today by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), which has been releasing them in stages.

Earlier this year, on August 3, 2021, the independent investigators appointed by New York Attorney General Letitia James and led by Joon H. Kim and Anne L. Clark released their report regarding the multiple allegations of sexual harassment against Cuomo. The investigation had taken nearly five months and involved a number of witnesses.

A number of district attorneys requested that the OAG abstain from publicly disclosing transcripts and other material after the publication of the report, so that their offices may first investigate and decide whether to seek criminal charges against Cuomo.

On October 28, 2021, the Albany County District Attorney’s Office notified the Office of the Attorney General that it would begin releasing evidence to Cuomo in order to comply with New York state’s discovery laws, following the filing of a criminal complaint against Cuomo in Albany County on that date. These statutes mandate that, if a person has been charged with a crime, they be provided with transcripts and other evidence in their defense.

In light of the recent release of these materials by the Albany County District Attorney’s office — and in an effort to provide complete transparency to the people of New York — the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) informed local district attorneys that it would immediately begin releasing all transcripts, associated exhibits, and videos compiled during the investigation, subject to appropriate redactions to protect the privacy of individuals, as necessary. The evidence will be released in a gradual fashion starting on November 9, 2021.

A referral to Attorney General James, in accordance with New York Executive Law Section 63(8), was made by the Executive Chamber on March 1, 2021, directing him to select independent lawyers to investigate “allegations of and circumstances of sexual harassment claims made against the governor.”

The investigation was carried out after the referral was made. On March 8, 2021, Kim and Clark were selected to serve as the investigation’s primary investigators.