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New York Governor Cuomo resigns amid sexual allegations

Published

3 years ago

August 11, 2021

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced his resignation Tuesday after more than a decade in office as the state legislature pursued an impeachment inquiry and amid sexual harassment allegations. A CBS News report said Cuomo, who gained national prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic, had been accused in a report by the state attorney general of sexually harassing 11 women, including staffers as well as people who did not work for his administration.

“I think that given the circumstances, the best way I can help now is if I step aside and let government get back to governing,” Cuomo said in a speech.

His resignation will take effect in 14 days and Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul will take over.

Cuomo’s announcement came one week after state Attorney General Letitia James announced the findings of her investigation into claims of sexual harassment and a toxic work environment against him. Cuomo’s top adviser, Melissa DeRosa, who was mentioned more than 180 times in the report, resigned Sunday night.

A majority of the New York Assembly, once filled with Cuomo’s allies, supported impeaching the governor, according to a count by the Associated Press. The Judiciary Committee had announced Monday that their impeachment inquiry would be wrapping up soon. They were not only investigating sexual harassment claims, but also his handling of COVID-19 in nursing homes, allegations related to the use of state resources in connection with Cuomo’s memoir and other issues.

In his speech, Cuomo started out by defending himself and said his “instinct is to fight through this controversy because I truly believe it is politically motivated.” He continued to try to cast himself as being a victim of changing attitudes and behaviours.

“In my mind, I never crossed the line with anyone, but I didn’t realize the extent to which the line is redrawn,” Cuomo said. He apologized to the women for his conduct.

But one of his accusers, Brittany Commisso, told “CBS This Morning” and the Albany Times Union that she decided to come forward in March after he denied the allegations and said he did nothing wrong. She said she felt he knew he had done something wrong.

“He almost has this smirk that he thinks that he’s untouchable,” Commisso said. “I almost feel like he has this sense of almost a celebrity status and it just — that was the tipping point. I broke down. I said ‘He is lying.'”

The attorney general’s report described an “unsafe” and “hostile” work environment in the governor’s office. It included testimony from Commisso, who said she was terrified of senior staff, including DeRosa, learning about her accusations.

Cuomo announced he would be resigning right after his outside counsel, Rita Glavin, tried to poke holes in some of the allegations in James’ investigation.

“I think women should be believed and treated fairly. I also believe men should be believed and treated fairly,” Glavin said. “The governor deserves to be treated fairly.”

In his resignation speech Tuesday, Cuomo also directly addressed his daughters, saying his “greatest goal is for them to have a better future than the generations of women before them.”

Cuomo and Glavin both sought to blame the media firestorm — which had once brought him national attention and adoration — for moving without investigating the facts.

“This is about politics,” Cuomo said. “And our political system today is too often driven by the extremes. Rashness has replaced reasonableness. Loudness has replaced soundness. Twitter has become the public square for policy debate. There is an intelligent discussion to be had on gender-based actions, on generational and cultural behavior differences, on setting higher standards and finding reasonable resolutions. But the political environment is too hot and too reactionary for that right now.”

But Cuomo, who was first elected governor in 2010, is a product of that political environment he now criticizes. The son of former Governor Mario Cuomo, he got his start in politics working for his father before accepting a position in the Clinton administration.

In 1990, he married Kerry Kennedy, the daughter of Robert and Ethel Kennedy, in a union called “Cuomolot” by the tabloids. According to People, she said she fell in love with him after he took her to a homeless shelter. They had three daughters, Michaela and twins Mariah and Cara Kennedy-Cuomo, but they split up in 2003. Cuomo then had a long relationship with lifestyle TV host and author Sandra Lee that ended in 2019.

He first ran for governor in 2002 to challenge George Pataki, the man who denied his father a fourth term as governor, but dropped out before the primary when it was evident he would not win. He settled to run for attorney general in 2006, and oversaw investigations into then Governor Eliot Spitzer — who resigned in 2008 after being caught up in a prostitution scandal— and Spitzer’s successor, David Paterson.

Cuomo ran for governor again in 2010, winning handily, and even was named one of People’s Sexist Men Alive that year. In 2011, he led the passage of same-sex marriage in New York state, which he continues to call one of his greatest accomplishments.

But allegations of corruption have shadowed his administration for years. Cuomo set up a commission in 2013 to root out corruption in Albany, called the Moreland Commission, but a 2014 New York Times report alleged he hobbled its investigation. And in 2018, one of his closest advisers, Joseph Percoco, who Cuomo referred to as his “father’s third son,” was sentenced to six years in prison on fraud and bribery charges.

Although he had always been in the national spotlight, his daily televised briefings during the COVID-19 pandemic made him seem like a national hero to many. New York was hit hard by the pandemic early, and his frank briefings won him nationwide attention. He was even honored with a special Emmy Award for his appearances. His brother Chris Cuomo, an anchor on CNN, had previously been banned from covering him, but amid the pandemic the two began regular segments bantering on the air.

But amid the plaudits, there was criticism that Cuomo had mishandled aspects of the COVID-19 battle, especially in nursing homes. DeRosa, who had been seated next to him at many of the briefings, told Democratic lawmakers that Cuomo’s administration took months to release data on the coronavirus death toll among the state’s nursing home residents because officials “froze” over worries the information was “going to be used against us.”

Before the sexual harassment allegations became public, Cuomo received an estimated $5 million to write a book on “leadership lessons” during the pandemic. The book sold a disappointing 48,000 copies but sagged amid the scandals. Eventually, even the Judiciary Committee said it would be investigating the book deal.

Cuomo had long been rumoured to be planning to seek a fourth term in 2022, which his father, who died in 2015, had been denied. Republican Congressman Lee Zedin, one of several GOP candidates aiming to unseat him, had made running against “King Cuomo” a central part of his campaign.

As the weight of the scandals grew, a March 2021 photo showing Cuomo calling allies on a cold day outside, draped in a blanket, seemed to foretell his political future. Five months later, with few allies left, he announced he would be resigning.

CBS News

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Adebayo Ogunlesi, 2 other Nigerians make Forbes 50 wealthiest Black Americans list 2024

Published

2 days ago

December 20, 2024

Trends Admin

Adebayo Ogunlesi

Adebayo Ogunlesi, 2 other Nigerians make Forbes 50 wealthiest Black Americans list 2024

Forbes has unveiled its 2024 ForbesBLK 50 list, celebrating the achievements of the wealthiest and most influential Black Americans.

Among the honorees are three Nigerians—Adebayo Ogunlesi, Tope Awotona, and Wemimo Abbey—whose groundbreaking contributions and entrepreneurial successes have earned them places on this prestigious list.

The ForbesBLK 50 is a reimagining of Forbes’ 2009 Wealthiest Black Americans list, which then featured figures like Oprah Winfrey, Michael Jordan, and Magic Johnson.

While net worth remains a core metric, the new list also highlights innovation, societal impact, and leadership across diverse industries.

Adebayo Ogunlesi, with a net worth of $1.7 billion, stands out as a pioneering force in global infrastructure investment. As chairman and cofounder of Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), Ogunlesi led the private equity firm through a transformative acquisition by BlackRock in 2024 for $12.5 billion.

Ogunlesi, a Harvard-educated lawyer and banker, previously spent over two decades at Credit Suisse before launching GIP in 2006.
His influence extends beyond business, as he has become a key figure in reshaping infrastructure investment on a global scale.

Also, Nigerian entrepreneur,Tope Awotona, the founder and CEO of Calendly, has redefined efficiency in scheduling and holds a net worth of $1.4 billion.

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Born in Lagos, Awotona moved to Atlanta as a teenager and pursued business and management information studies at the University of Georgia. After early entrepreneurial setbacks, he launched Calendly in 2013, driven by frustration with cumbersome meeting coordination. The platform, which raised $350 million in 2021, is now valued at $3 billion and serves millions of users worldwide.

Although not a ranking, Wemimo Abbey, at just 32, is the youngest Nigerian on the list and cofounder of Esusu, an African fintech company addressing financial inclusion. Esusu helps renters build credit by reporting rent payments to credit bureaus, a service utilized by more than 20,000 properties and benefiting 1.8 million Americans.

In 2022, Esusu achieved a $1 billion valuation following a $130 million funding round. Abbey, who grew up in Lagos, has a background in mergers and acquisitions consulting and a passion for leveraging technology to drive social impact.

These three Nigerians show innovation, resilience, and the drive to address pressing global challenges. Their inclusion on the ForbesBLK 50 list is a foretelling of their entrepreneurial vision and the increasing influence of Nigerians on the global stage.

The ForbesBLK 50 list, launched under ForbesBLK, aims to go beyond net worth to measure impact and influence within the Black community and beyond.

Adebayo Ogunlesi, 2 other Nigerians make Forbes 50 wealthiest Black Americans list 2024

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Northern youths say new tax regime bill designed to ruin region

Published

3 days ago

December 19, 2024

Trends Admin

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Northern youths say new tax regime bill designed to ruin region

Coalition of Northern Groups, Taraba State chapter, has expressed concerns that the proposed Tax Reform Bill by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is cunningly designed with all premeditated intent and purposes to further develop the southern Nigeria at the expense of the north.

The northern youths, who lamented the economic hardship in the country, concluded that the effect bears more scars on the region than any other.

Aside from the new Tax Reform Bill, the group also condemned the federal government’s land-border closure, alleging that the ideas favour the South more than the North.

The group, in a statement signed by its coordinator, Comrade Idris Ayuba, made available to Vanguard Correspondent in Ilorin alleged that most difficulties the North faces are the repercussions of the decisions, citing the effect of Petroleum subsidy removal, land border closure and the new tax regime as few examples.

He noted in the statement that”reduction in the consumption of a capital commodity like petroleum occasioned by the subsidy removal is not a manifestation of a positive policy impact; it rather indicates reduced economic activities that force people out of energy consumption,”

On the land border closure, Idris said: “One of the primary concerns is the impact of this policy on the regional economy, which has been heavily reliant on cross-border trade with neighbouring countries. The closure has resulted in significant losses for traders and business owners in the region, exacerbating poverty and unemployment.

“The policy has given undue advantage to Southern Nigeria, for instance, the closure has led to an increase in demand for locally produced goods in Southern Nigeria, which has boosted the southern regional economy.

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“Additionally, the Southern region has benefited from the increased revenue generated from customs duties and taxes on imported goods.

“The closure has also created an imbalance in the distribution of economic opportunities, with Southern Nigeria having greater access to ports and international trade routes.

” This has resulted in a concentration of economic activity in the Southern region, further marginalizing Northern Nigeria,” Idris explained in the statement.

According to the coordinator, one of the primary concerns is the impact of the land-border closure on the regional economy, which they claimed has been heavily reliant on cross-border trade with neighbouring countries.

They said that the closure has resulted in significant losses for traders and business owners in the region, saying: “The policy has given undue advantage to Southern Nigeria, for instance, it has led to an increase in demand for locally produced goods in Southern Nigeria, which has boosted the southern regional economy.

” Additionally, the Southern region has benefited from the increased revenue generated from customs duties and taxes on imported goods.

“The closure also created an imbalance in the distribution of economic opportunities, with Southern Nigeria having greater access to ports and international trade routes.

”This has resulted in a concentration of economic activity in the Southern region, further marginalising Northern Nigeria,” the Northern youths also posited in the statement

They stressed that the new tax reforms, particularly its revenue sharing formula will disproportionately affect Northern Nigeria, saying:

“One potential impact is a reduction in the region’s revenue allocation, which could hinder its ability to fund development projects and provide essential services to its population.

“Northern Nigeria is already grappling with significant development challenges, including poverty, infrastructure deficits, and limited access to education and healthcare. A decrease in revenue allocation could exacerbate these issues,” it said, urging the federal government to retrace and reconsider certain conditions before taking certain steps in certain directions.

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Still, on the tax reforms, the group said it would widen the economic gap between Northern and Southern Nigeria since the Southern region is already home to many of Nigeria’s major industries and economic hubs, noting that a more favourable revenue-sharing formula could further consolidate its economic advantage.

“This could lead to a brain drain and talent flight from Northern Nigeria, as individuals seek better economic opportunities in other parts of the country.

” This policy if allowed to pass, will bring about national disintegration, strife and bad blood between the North and South.

“The tax reforms could also hurt the region’s agricultural sector, which is a significant contributor to its economy,” it said.

Urging policymakers to consider the potential impacts of these reforms and work to ensure that they do not exacerbate the existing economic inequalities, the group advised that the North’s contribution to the nation’s coffers should not be solely measured by its economic output.

“The region’s agricultural sector, for instance, is a vital component of the national economy. The Northern farmers produce a significant portion of the country’s food, which deserves recognition and compensation.

“It’s essential to recognize the historical and structural inequalities that have hindered the North’s economic development. The proposed tax reform bill should aim to address these disparities rather than perpetuate them.

“A more equitable revenue-sharing formula would acknowledge the North’s unique challenges and contributions, ensuring that the region receives a fair share of the national revenue.

They however, lamented many abandoned federal government Projects in North, mentioning the Mambila hydroelectric project that has been in the works for over 40 years, with the first feasibility study conducted in 1972; “the project has faced unexplainable delays.

“The Mambilla Hydropower Project is estimated to cost around $5.8 billion, with the Chinese Export-Import (Exim) Bank funding 85 per cent of the project, while the Federal Government of Nigeria provides the remaining 15 per cent.

“The project is expected to generate 3,050 megawatts of electricity, making it the largest power-generating installation in Nigeria.

“The Jalingo-Numan Road project has equally lingered for more than 15 years without a tangible commitment to even start it. It’s essential to note that the project is crucial for connecting the Taraba State to other parts of the country.

“The failure to complete these projects perpetuates the existing disparities between the North and the South. The lack of investment in critical infrastructure hinders the region’s ability to attract businesses, create jobs, and stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and stimulate economic growth,” they said.

Northern youths say new tax regime bill designed to ruin region

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BREAKING: National Assembly extends lifespan of 2024 budget

Published

4 days ago

December 18, 2024

Trends Admin

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio

BREAKING: National Assembly extends lifespan of 2024 budget

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has explained that the impressive performance of the 2024 national budget encouraged members of the National Assembly to extend the lifespan of the 2024 budget beyond December 31 this year.

Akpabio gave the explanation Wednesday in his welcome address during the presentation of the 2025 national budget to the joint session of the federal parliament.

He said, “We have noted the 2024 budget performances of 50% for capital expenditure and 48% for recurrent expenditure respectively.

“Given these great achievements, we have deemed it necessary to extend the life of the 2024 budget to June 30, 2025.

“The enabling law for this extension has already been put in place by this patriotic Assembly, as a testament to our appreciation for the great performance of the budget, ensuring we build upon your momentum.

“We commend your steadfast commitment to collaborate, cooperate and work with the National Assembly to achieve your grand vision for Nigeria.”

As the red chamber planned to start deliberations on the budget proposals, Akpabio warned heads of the various ministries, departments and agencies of the Federal Government to make themselves available for the budget defence.

He said: “Let me take this opportunity to stress the importance of the honourable ministers and heads of extra-ministerial departments being prepared to respond promptly to requests for them to come and defend their sectoral allocation in the exercise of our legislative oversight.

“We have observed concerning the behaviour from some ministers and heads of extra-ministerial departments, who sometimes neglect their duty to promptly submit to legislative oversight, sometimes even disregarding invitations from relevant committees of the legislature.

“It is imperative they understand that we will not condone such breaches of the constitution going forward.”

Akpabio noted that under the President Bola Tinubu administration, Nigerians has “witnessed remarkable strides in economic reforms, aimed at enhancing our nation’s stability and growth”.

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According to him, “The courageous decision to remove fuel subsidies, though challenging, showcases your (Tinubu’s) unwavering commitment to redirecting resources to critical sectors such as education and healthcare.

“Your collaboration with the Central Bank has cultivated an environment ripe for investment, and your focus on infrastructure development reflects a visionary commitment to improving the connectivity that fuels our economy.

“Furthermore, your initiatives to strengthen our security framework stand as a testament to your resolve in tackling the pressing challenges of our time.“

The chairman of the National Assembly commended Tinubu’s efforts in the era of security.

“We commend your tireless efforts, along with those of our brave men and women in uniform, for liberating our lands from the grip of terror.

“Today, no community is under the threat of terrorism, a monumental achievement we celebrate together.

“The reduction in kidnapping incidents and the neutralization of over 11,000 terrorists and insurgents is a testament to patriotism, strength and determination,” Akpabio said.

The Senate President said Tinubu’s dedication to fostering international relations paves the way for fruitful partnerships that will propel the nation forward.

He said: “We are witnessing a resurgence in foreign direct investment, made possible by your visionary directives that ease the visa processes for Nigerians travelling to other countries, and at the same time welcome investors and tourists alike to our country.

“Your innovative approaches in our embassies and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have opened new doors for Nigeria and its people. For this we thank you.”

He said the introduction of social welfare programmes embodies the president’s unwavering belief in uplifting the living standards of our citizens.

“You remind us that our nation is not merely constructed of bricks and mortar, but of the resilience and determination of its people.

“Nigerians are taking notice of your remarkable achievements. You have doubled aggregate government revenues to over NGN 18.32 trillion, reduced debt servicing expenditures from 97% to 68%, fulfilled $7.5 billion in foreign exchange obligations, increased oil production to 1.8 million barrels per day, and launched the Compressed Natural Gas initiative.

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“Your administration has processed over N45.6 billion for student payments, signed the National Minimum Wage Law, and raised the national minimum wage to N70,000 a month, all while providing over N570 billion in financial support to the 36 states,” Akpabio said.

He commended the groundbreaking tax reform initiative including the four tax reform bills, namely the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2024; Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, 2024; Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, 2024; and the Nigeria Tax Bill, 2024.

He said the tax reform bills represented a monumental shift in the country’s fiscal landscape and that its critics haven’t read the proposed legislations.

The Senate President said: “It is disheartening that those who have not taken the time to understand these bills are the loudest critics.

“I urge all Nigerians, especially those in public office, to engage with these vital reforms thoughtfully.

“This initiative marks the first comprehensive tax reform since Nigeria’s independence, presenting a transformative opportunity for rejuvenating small and medium enterprises and enhancing the livelihoods of ordinary Nigerians.

“These reforms will not only improve Nigeria’s revenue profile but also create a more conducive and internationally competitive business environment, transforming our tax system to support sustainable development.”

Akpabio said the infrastructure renaissance has paved the way for many roads, including the coastal road and crucial arteries in the Abuja capital city and other parts of the country.

“These developments are not merely about concrete and asphalt; they represent the lifeblood of our economy, connecting our people and fostering growth,” he added.

He urged Nigerians to bear with the president whose economic reforms had imposed hardship on Nigerians but noted that: “We are light-years away from where we began, though some rivers remain to be crossed.

“The pains we feel are not merely the pains of hardship; they are the pains of childbirth. When that season arrives in Nigeria, when this administration births that season, we will rejoice for the struggles endured.

“For now, I ask for your patience and urge all Nigerians to cooperate with the president and maintain faith in his vision.

“Mr. President, while you cannot be everywhere, you have eyes everywhere. We, the distinguished senators and honourable members of the House of Representatives, are your eyes in our constituencies and every corner of Nigeria.

“When our constituents struggle to afford rice, they come to us. When their shoes pinch, they seek our assistance. When the economic alarm sounds, they turn to us.

“Therefore, we are committed to ensuring that you touch the hearts and pulse of Nigerians through these appropriation bills resonating with the sounds of hope and signalling the dawn of Nigeria’s economic rebirth,” he added.

Akpabio ended his speech by leading the members of the National Assembly to sing for the president as they all chorused, “On your mandate we shall stand” to the admiration of the legislatures and the guests.