Morning News Brief

The independent investigators appointed by New York Attorney General Letitia James have released their report into the multiple allegations of sexual harassment by Governor Andrew Cuomo. After nearly five months, the investigators concluded that Governor Cuomo did sexually harass multiple women — including former and current state employees — by engaging in unwanted groping, kissing, and hugging, and making inappropriate comments. Further, the governor and his senior staff took actions to retaliate against at least one former employee for coming forward with her story. Finally, according to the report, the Executive Chamber fostered a “toxic” workplace that enabled “harassment to occur and created a hostile work environment.” The investigators find that Governor Cuomo’s actions and those of the Executive Chamber violated multiple state and federal laws, as well as the Executive Chamber’s own written policies.

The scathing report by the New York Attorney General’s Office into allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct by Gov. Andrew Cuomo has triggered an emergency meeting by the New York State Assembly. Speaker Carl Heastie said Tuesday that lawmakers “will move expeditiously and look to conclude our impeachment investigation as quickly as possible.” Meanwhile, President Joe Biden has called for Cuomo to step down.

A North Chili man faces 26 counts following a high-speed chase that started in Stafford and ended with a successfully deployed spike strip in the City of Batavia. 23-year-old James Lepore was arrested. He was charged with felony first-degree reckless endangerment, criminal possession of a firearm, unlawfully fleeing police, drug possession, speeding along with 21 other traffic offenses. Lepore was arraigned in Town of Batavia Court and under terms of bail reform released on his own recognizance.

New York’s COVID positivity rate now stands at 3.47%. Hospitalizations have jumped by 64 in a single day and admission to the ICU have also climbed. Five new deaths have also been reported.

A Rochester music teacher is going to prison of 50 years after being convicted of 74 charges, including 61 counts of production of child pornography. 43-year-old Philip Close pleaded guilty in the case. Between 2012 and 2019, Close produced hundreds of videos of child pornography involving 61 identified minor victims. The youngest victim was four years old. While executing search warrants at the Close School of Music, investigators also discovered 13 devices that contained other images and videos of child pornography. The U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a statement – “if you seek to exploit children to satisfy your own perverse interests, be prepared to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and potentially to lose your freedom forever.”

Wegmans says employees will once again be required to wear face masks at work. This, the company says, comes after reviewing updated guidance from the CDC and health departments. Customers are not required to wear masks, however it is strongly recommended they do so