Former NY Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Law License at Risk Amid Sexual Harassment Probe

On Wednesday, February 26, 2025, Gothamist reported that a New York state panel has launched an investigation into whether former Governor Andrew Cuomo should lose his law license due to allegations of sexual harassment. The probe, conducted by the Attorney Grievance Committee in the state’s Third Judicial Department, remains in its preliminary phase but could potentially lead to the suspension or disbarment of Cuomo, who is a licensed attorney and once served as New York’s attorney general. This development highlights a lingering issue from the harassment claims that prompted his resignation as governor in 2021, as he considers a possible run for New York City mayor.

The investigation stems from a complaint filed in 2022 by the Sexual Harassment Working Group, an organization pushing for Cuomo’s disbarment. Confidential documents reveal that the 21-member committee, responsible for reviewing ethics violations by lawyers, is examining the former governor’s alleged misconduct toward women, including staff members, as well as his efforts to challenge findings from the state attorney general’s office and the Assembly that he broke the law. Erica Vladimer, an attorney with the group, argued in recent filings that Cuomo’s actions undermine the legal system and violate the Rules of Professional Conduct, which require lawyers to uphold behavior reflecting their fitness to practice.

The case had been inactive for over two years until December 2024, when the committee requested the anti-harassment group respond to a defense filing Cuomo submitted in May 2022. The reason for the delay remains unclear, as the committee’s chief attorney declined to comment, citing confidentiality laws. A spokesperson for Cuomo, Rich Azzopardi, described the request as a routine step, accusing Vladimer, a former congressional candidate, of exploiting the process for political gain. Vladimer countered that the committee’s actions indicate it views the complaint as credible, though she acknowledged such proceedings often take time.

Cuomo’s potential mayoral bid adds context to the probe, with recent endorsements from figures like Bronx Representative Ritchie Torres and former state Comptroller Carl McCall. The filings reveal a dispute over evidence, with the Working Group asserting the committee should consider the attorney general’s and Assembly’s reports, which found Cuomo violated anti-harassment laws through actions like groping a staffer and making intrusive personal inquiries. Cuomo’s attorney, Rita Glavin, rejected these claims in a 48-page response, denying any harassment and labeling the reports as biased and politically motivated, particularly tied to Attorney General Letitia James’ short-lived gubernatorial campaign.

The committee’s next steps remain uncertain. Azzopardi noted that five district attorneys declined to file criminal charges against Cuomo and cited a court ruling questioning the legal weight of James’ report, which concluded he harassed 11 women. That report, prepared by outside attorneys Joon Kim and Anne Clark, has been defended by James’ office as a key part of moving past this chapter in New York’s history. Vladimer emphasized that the committee’s continued engagement suggests the complaint has merit.

Under New York’s attorney ethics system, the grievance committee could issue anything from a private reprimand to a recommendation for suspension or disbarment, with the Appellate Division making the final call on severe penalties. Hofstra University law professor Ellen Yaroshefsky explained that such committees often wait for related civil cases to conclude—Cuomo currently faces two harassment lawsuits and plans a defamation suit—though precedent exists for earlier action, as seen with Rudy Giuliani’s license suspension in 2021 and revocation in 2023.

Yaroshefsky noted the committee’s request for a response signals serious consideration, though she believes disbarment is unlikely. The process could extend further, given Cuomo’s additional ethics complaint against James and her investigators. For now, the investigation remains a quiet but significant hurdle as Cuomo weighs his political future.