Cuomo announces podcast and political action committee

ALBANY — Disgraced former Gov. Andrew Cuomo is beginning a political motion committee — and a podcast.

Thirteen months after leaving office amid a flood of sexual harassment allegations and dealing with impending impeachment, Cuomo announced in a video address Wednesday that he’s reentering the political enviornment with a PAC to “elect the best folks” to workplace, spearheading a gun-safety initiative and unveiled plans to start a weekly podcast.

Within the eight-minute clip, Cuomo says he has spent a lot of his time since stepping down together with his household, mountain climbing and fishing, in addition to restoring outdated automobiles and a Harley-Davidson motorbike.

Now, the previous Democratic darling who obtained nationwide approval for his every day COVID briefings through the early days of the pandemic says he’s able to “transfer ahead and deal with what is admittedly necessary.”

“I’ve fought the nice battle in authorities and politics all my life, and I’m not executed combating but,” Cuomo mentioned.

After lamenting the state of political discourse within the nation, Cuomo mentioned the highway forward features a politically targeted podcast that can enable him to “hear what’s in your thoughts and to debate methods to assist enhance the scenario.”

“Now, this discussion board might be totally different,” he mentioned. “My intention is to talk the complete reality, unvarnished, from the within out, frank and candid.”

The announcement comes per week after Cuomo filed a formal ethics complaint against Attorney General Letitia James.

The ex-governor and his supporters have repeatedly forged the harassment investigation spearheaded by James’ workplace that preceded his resignation as politically motivated. He has additionally accused James and the impartial investigators in command of the probe of cherry-picking proof and withholding info from the general public.

James’ workplace issued a scathing report final summer time detailing harassment allegations from practically a dozen girls, together with staffers and a feminine state trooper assigned to Cuomo’s safety element, who say the previous politician made undesirable advances and inappropriate or offensive feedback.

A number of prosecutors throughout the state determined in opposition to bringing felony expenses in opposition to the ex-gov regardless of discovering his accusers credible. In January, the Albany district attorney’s office announced it would no longer seek to prosecute.

Cuomo has denied any wrongdoing whereas he and his authorized crew have repeatedly attacked James and questioned the credibility of the ladies who got here ahead.

Charlotte Bennett, a former aide who accused Cuomo of creating inappropriate remarks and “grooming” her, sued the ex-gov last week for sexual harassment, gender discrimination and retaliation. She is the second lady to file a federal lawsuit in opposition to Cuomo. In February, a New York state trooper who had been assigned to Cuomo’s safety element additionally sued him, alleging he subjected her to sexual remarks and every now and then ran his hand or fingers throughout her abdomen and her again.

Cuomo has not strayed removed from the highlight since leaving workplace with roughly $18 million in marketing campaign money. Rumors swirled earlier this yr that he was mulling a run for his outdated seat and he blamed “cancel tradition” for his political downfall in speeches made at a pair of city churches.

Particulars about Cuomo’s new initiative, which he known as the “Gun Secure America Challenge,” might be forthcoming.

“I’ve seen loads, I’ve discovered loads, and I’ve executed loads and I wish to assist,” Cuomo mentioned within the video launched on Wednesday.

Based on marketing campaign finance information from July, the one-time presidential prospect nonetheless has round $10 million in his marketing campaign conflict chest. It’s unclear precisely how Cuomo intends to begin up his fledgling PAC or who he can be supporting.

“We don’t want extra panderers, we’d like producers,” he mentioned within the video. “We’d like folks dedicated to battle for change and who get outcomes.”

“We’d like individuals who have the character and the capability to face up and lead and take the warmth that goes with management,” he added.