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Latimer held an impromptu public briefing on Monday, March 15 to discuss the situation in Albany, Cuomo, and reports that some county executives felt uneasy following recent phone calls from one of the governor’s top aides and COVID-19 vaccine “czar.”
“The accusations made against the governor must be taken seriously,” Latimer said. “No man can truly understand or appreciate what women endure in moments like this.
“The actions taken by state Attorney General (Letitia) James have been swift and promise to fully and thoroughly investigate the claims and deliver an objective assessment on all pertinent elements.”
Latimer said that it is important that he or any other New York lawmaker step aside and allow James and her team to complete the independent investigation into Cuomo’s actions.
“I do not feel it is appropriate to undercut her leadership in this moment. I have faith that she will supervise a fair review in the best time frame possible,” he added. “I’m further confident that there is zero chance anything will be swept under the rug. This will be a transparent process, as all eyes are watching.”
According to Latimer, it’s key to ensure the investigation into Cuomo goes smoothly, or else it risks setting a bad precedent if similar scandals were to arise in future administrations.
“The Assembly Judiciary Committee has also been tasked with initiating an impeachment review with a broader scope, and I’m confident it will be an open and fair review of all facts related to this issue,” he said.
“The results of these two investigations represent the rule of law, and that’s a process that protects us all,’ Latimer continued. “If we abandon process now, how will that affect us when future matters arise? It could be a different scope and specifics, but without an underlying set of principles to guide us.”
Latimer said that such an instance “might open the door to greater instability in a moment where democracy is challenged by all those who dislike any particular official or any particular decision.”
During his near four-minute briefing, Latimer also touched base on recent calls from Cuomo aide Larry Schwartz, who reached out to County Executives recently to discuss Cuomo’s situation, with some alleging that some of those conversations pivoted to the COVID-19.
Schwartz, a former deputy Westchester County Executive who is in charge of the state’s COVID-19 rollout, denied bringing up the vaccine during calls, a claim with Latimer confirmed.
“He made no effort to influence or threaten me. No other matters were raised or alluded to in our conversation,” Latimer said. “I did not find his outreach unreasonable given our personal relationship and our working relationship.”
Latimer reiterated that his job will continue to run Westchester and to do his best for the residents of the county while urging patience as the investigation and impeachment investigation continues.
“At the end of the day, my career in government, or the career of any of us in government is not as relevant as the system of democracy itself,” he said. “There is pride and ambition in each of us and aspirations for our communities and oftentimes ourselves … but they are subordinated to the truth.
“If truth leads us to lose our position of authority, then let truth be done,” Latimer added. “I accepted that reality when I first won public office years ago as a Councilman and I accept that today.
“My job today is to run Westchester County … to make intelligent decisions, to fight the COVID pandemic, and that will continue to be my main goal no matter how this issue is resolved.”
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