Winners & Losers
This week’s biggest Winners & Losers
Who’s up and who’s down this week?
This week's biggest Winners & Losers. City & State
New Yorkers will likely remember the date Aug. 3 for years to come, but it won’t be because of Tony Bennett. Hours before state Attorney General Letitia James released the findings of the investigation into allegations of sexual harassment against Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday, Cuomo’s office issued a proclamation declaring it to be “Tony Bennett Day” in New York. To say that Tony Bennett Day was overshadowed by the bombshell report would be an understatement. Who knows, maybe a future Gov. Kathy Hochul can amend that proclamation to dedicate Aug. 4 to celebrating Mr. Bennett.
Letitia James -
The state attorney general, along with investigators Anne Clark and Joon Kim, unveiled the damning investigation into claims of sexual harassment against Gov. Andrew Cuomo. They concluded that he had harassed 11 women, throwing the state’s political sphere into chaos. She helped lead the charge on an investigation that may have serious legal and political ramifications for Cuomo.
Gustavo Rivera and Jeffrion Aubry -
State Sen. Gustavo Rivera and Assembly Member Jeffrion Aubry may be the last lawmakers to ever get legislation signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo. The measure, which was approved by the governor on Monday, will replace the word “inmate” with “incarcerated individual” or “incarcerated individuals” in state law to reduce the stigma for people who have been in prison. But don’t expect much chatter about the law as the conversation in Albany pivots toward impeachment.
Charlotte St. Martin -
Musical theater lovers should be singing the praises of The Broadway League President Charlotte St. Martin. After nearly a year and a half, Broadway returned on Wednesday with the new play “Pass Over” at the August Wilson Theatre – a big first step toward returning the Theater District to its prepandemic glory. During opening night, audience members stood and cheered for playwright Antoinette Chinonye Nwandu in a rapturous standing ovation. Following the performance, attendees took to the street outside the theater to dance.
Andrew Cuomo -
This was the week when Albany finally admitted things were not working out with the three-term governor. His sexual harassment and mind games have made divorce inevitable, especially when he keeps talking like we just have to things his way. While Cuomo is refusing to move out, he may have to get a place of his own soon the way impeachment looks like to be proceeding. He can take the dog, but he better leave the antiques alone on his way out.
Melissa DeRosa -
The secretary to the governor’s name might make it into reporting textbooks after her instantly iconic exchange with Times Union journalists. The only problem for her is that the conversation details her efforts to share confidential personnel files in order to retaliate against sexual harassment accuser Lindsey Boylan, apparently against her own counsel’s advice. And that was just one of the many incidents in the AG’s report detailing DeRosa’s essential role in Cuomo’s toxic workplace.
Laura Curran -
Nassau County Executive Laura Curran has found herself between a rock and a hard place. The Nassau County Legislature passed a bill that would make police officers a protected class, and permit them to sue protesters. The proposal is vehemently opposed by police reform groups, progressives and many people of color. It’s now up to Curran, a Democrat, to decide what to do – and she has no good options. Vetoing it could cost her the election in the fall, and put a Republican in charge. But signing it could set the county up for a costly court battle defending the potentially unconstitutional law and lose her support among fellow Democrats. Classic lose-lose.
NEXT STORY: Tech:NYC leader reflects on tech sector’s growth over the past 5 years