CLARKSVILLE, N.Y. — A New York sheriff is defending his decision to file a complaint against former Gov. Andrew Cuomo that accuses the Democrat of a misdemeanor sex crime.
The filing took prosecutors and the accuser's attorney by surprise when Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple filed the complaint with a local court on Thursday.
The Sheriff said they didn't realize the filing would go through so fast.
Sheriff Apple said, "Well, we had numerous conversations, but we would have liked to present it, and everything, sat down with the DA, explained exactly what we had. I would have also liked to have the courtesy to reach out to Miss Glavin (Cuomo's attorney) and explain what we had and what the next process would be. Again, things change and doesn't always work out as planned."
Cuomo resigned in August amid a sexual harassment scandal. The Democrat denies the allegations.
"I don't know if it will go to trial. I think we have an overwhelming amount of evidence. We have a victim who has been cooperating fully every day every step of the way. As far as conviction, or something to that effect, that is really going to come down to is it a jury, is it a judge, and as well as the district attorney's office," Apple said.
Cuomo's spokesperson, Rich Azzopardi, issued this statement Thursday evening after the charge was filed.
""Accidentally' filing a criminal charge without notification and consent of the prosecuting body doesn’t pass the laugh test and this process reeks of Albany politics and perhaps worse. The fact that the AG — as predicted — is about to announce a run for governor is lost on no one. The truth about what happened with this cowboy sheriff will come out."
The governor's attorney, Rita Glavin issued this statement after the sheriff's press conference.
“The Governor did not assault Ms. Commisso on November 16, November 25, some day in November when she was tasked with taking a photograph, December 7, or any other date.
“What Sheriff Apple did not say today is that the allegation is totally uncorroborated, and has been evolving since March. What Sheriff Apple did say about doing a “separate” investigation from the DA, with “our victim,” speaks volumes about his professed objectivity.
“The timing of this charge, on the eve of Tish James announcing her run for Governor, is highly suspect and should give all of us pause that the heavy hand of politics is behind this decision.
“We expect clear-headed people will make better decisions going forward, but should this case move forward we are prepared to vigorously defend the Governor and challenge every aspect of the specious, inconsistent and uncorroborated allegations made against him.”
Cuomo is expected to appear in court on November 17 in Albany City Court. He is expected to be processed and most likely released.
"At that date, Mr. Cuomo and his attorneys will come up into the City of Albany and Police Court. He'll be arraigned and at that point he will be processed probably at our headquarters in downtown Albany," said Apple.
Sheriff Apple said on Friday that they have a solid case, and he's confident the district attorney will prosecute the former Governor.
"We have a solid case. Our investigative staff did a marvelous job. I'm very proud of the work they did. Again, they took a very high profile investigation, they methodically broke it down, and I couldn't be more proud of them," said Apple.