ANDREW Cuomo bowed to pressure today after Joe Biden backed demands for a full inquiry into sexual harassment claims by two ex-staffers.
An array of high profile Democrats turned on the New York governor and one publicly branded him a "monster" amid an outcry at his decision to pick his own investigator.
Last night a second former aide came forward with sex pest allegations three days after another ex-staffer made similar claims.
Cuomo, 63, who denies wrongdoing, sparked disbelief when he said he had asked Clinton-appointed federal judge Barbara Jones to examine claims.
Democrat congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez today echoed calls by New York Republicans for the state's attorney general to take charge of the inquiry.
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said Cuomo should be stripped of his emergency powers pending twin probes into the "disturbing personal misconduct allegations" and Covid deaths in nursing homes.
And Mr Biden's spokeswoman Jen Psaki said concerns about the "serious" allegations had even reached the White House.
"There should be an independent review looking into these allegations," she told CNN's State Of The Union.
"And that's certainly something the president supports."
She added of the latest claims against Cuomo: "It was hard to read that story as a woman.
"That process should move forward as quickly as possible."
After she spoke, Cuomo's office issued an updated statement acknowledginghe should not choose those tasked with investigating his conduct.
His special counsel Beth Garvey said: "The Governor's Office wants a review of the sexual harassment claims made against the Governor to be done in a manner beyond reproach.
"We had selected former Federal Judge Barbara Jones, with a stellar record for qualifications and integrity, but we want to avoid even the perception of a lack of independence or inference of politics."
She said the NY attorney general and the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals have jointly been asked to select "an independent and qualified lawyer in private practice without political affiliation to conduct a thorough review of the matter and issue a public report."
Garvey said: "All members of the Governor's office will cooperate fully. We will have no further comment until the report is issued."
'UNCOMFORTABLE & SCARED'
Last night Charlotte Bennett, 25, claimed her 63-year-old boss quizzed her about her sex life after she went to him for help as a survivor of sexual assault.
She told the New York Times Cuomo asked if her she was monogamous in her relationships and if she had ever had sex with older men.
"I understood that the governor wanted to sleep with me, and felt horribly uncomfortable and scared," she said.
"And was wondering how I was going to get out of it and assumed it was the end of my job."
She said she left the governor's office in November following the alleged harassment, which came during the height of the Covid pandemic.
Charlotte's claims came three days after another ex-aide, Lindsey Boylan, claimed Cuomo kissed her on the lips and suggested they play strip poker.
Earlier today Ms Ocasio-Cortez tweeted: "Lindsey Boylan and Charlotte Bennett’s detailed accounts of sexual harassment by Gov Cuomo are extremely serious and painful to read.
"There must be an independent investigation – not one led by an individual selected by the Governor, but by the office of the Attorney General."
Most senior New York Democrats remained tight-lipped after the first round of allegations on Wednesday.
But last night Cuomo was dealt a crushing blow when his own deputy and other members of his party appeared to turn their backs on him.
Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul called for an independent review into the allegations, saying: "Everyone deserves to have their voice heard and taken seriously."
Senate leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins called the new allegations “deeply disturbing and concerning".
She said: "The behavior described has no place in the workplace.”
She also echoed calls by Republicans for the Attorney-General to take over the probe.
New York City mayoral candidate Maya Wiley said: “I am disgusted. I believe Charlotte Bennett.
“Senior officials in the Governor’s office were aware of his behavior … What happened to these complaints? Why was no further action taken? How many other times has this happened?”
State senator Alessandra Biaggi tweeted bluntly: "@NYGovCuomo, you are a monster, and it is time for you to go. Now.”
Ms Biaggi, chair of the ethics and governance committee, said she was speaking out "as a New Yorker and a survivor of sexual abuse".
She added in a statement: "I commend the courage of Ms Bennett and Lindsey Boylan for coming forward.
"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 New York."
Fellow state senator Todd Kaminsky, a former federal prosecutor, said: “This pattern of behavior requires a swift and immediate, independent investigation, the leader of which must be empowered to access all evidence.”
Another senior Democrat, state senator James Skoufis, called the allegations “deeply disturbing” and called for “an independent, outside, expeditious investigation … completely independent of potential influence and politics.”
State assembly speaker Carl Heastie also demanded a "truly independent investigation".
Cuomo – already facing calls for his impeachment over the alleged cover-up of Covid deaths in care homes – released a statement responding to Charlotte Bennett's claims last night.
"I never made advances toward Ms Bennett nor did I ever intend to act in any way that was inappropriate," he said.
"I tried to be supportive and helpful. Ms Bennett's initial impression was right: I was trying to be a mentor to her.
"The last thing I would ever have wanted was to make her feel any of the things that are being reported.
"This situation cannot and should not be resolved in the press; I believe the best way to get to the truth is through a full and thorough outside review and I am directing all state employees to comply with that effort."
His special counsel Beth Garvey said Ms Bennett had been moved to other duties at her request but had not alleged sexual misconduct while working for the governor.
On Wednesday, Cuomo's office said allegations by former aide Lindsey Boylan were "simply false".
She claimed in her more than three years while working in his administration, Cuomo "would go out of his way to touch me on my lower back, arms and legs."
She also alleged he compared her to one of his rumored ex-girlfriends, kissed her on the lips without consent, and once joked they should play strip poker during a flight on his official jet.
"I’m compelled to tell my story because no woman should feel forced to hide their experiences of workplace intimidation, harassment and humiliation — not by the Governor or anyone else," Boylan said.
Meanwhile last night, Coumo was mocked in a skit on Saturday Night Live.
Cast member Pete Davidson, playing the beleaguered governor, cracked “Nice bodies, some of you” while scanning the audience.
He added: “I know. I’m in the friggin’ dog house again."
And "Arrest Cuomo" T-shirts were being sported by right-wing delegates at the CPAC conference, where later today Donald Trump will give his forst speech since leaving the White House.
Social media influencer Austen Fletcher, who created the $25 shirts, said: “Arrest Cuomo is not just a funny meme or hyperbole.
"It literally should happen. We need to arrest Andrew Cuomo.”
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