Here is what the potential impeachment of Gov. Andrew Cuomo could look like

While Cuomo has apologized for “making anyone feel uncomfortable,” the Democrat has stated that he “never touched anyone inappropriately.” When pressured to step down, as many New York Democrats are now calling for, the governor has bluntly said he will not heed those calls. The dismissal investigation is being conducted in parallel with New York Attorney General Letitia James’s independent civil investigation into allegations against the governor that Cuomo has said will participate fully.

The pressure on Cuomo occurs at the same time that it is under fire for its manipulation deaths in residences during the coronavirus crisis. The Cuomo administration last year issued a controversial adviser banning nursing homes from refusing to admit patients solely on the basis of confirmed or suspicious coronaviruses, in order to free hospital beds. The decision may have increased the spread of the virus to the facility, according to a report released earlier this year by James. The report also found that more residents in nursing homes died due to Covid-19 than data released by the New York State Department of Health.

Under the New York State Constitution, the New York State Assembly has the task of conducting the vote to impeach Cuomo. The Assembly, which is made up of 150 lawmakers, only needs a majority of votes to accuse what the Constitution calls “misconduct or embezzlement.”

The New York Assembly is overwhelmingly controlled by Democrats, with the party occupying 106 of the 150 seats. It takes seventy-six votes to accuse Cuomo.

“The law provides for the dismissal for misconduct or embezzlement in the office of all officials, except the judiciary, whose powers and duties are not local or legislative and who will be elected in general elections, and also for the provision of vacancies created by this dismissal, ”the Constitution says.

If the Assembly votes to remove him, Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, a Buffalo Democrat, becomes governor, stripping Cuomo of his decision-making powers. Cuomo would then go to trial, held by the New York Senate, which would be made up of senators and judges of the appellate court, according to the state constitution. Hochul would not be part of the trial, the Constitution says.

Cuomo should be found guilty by two-thirds of the state Senate. Democrats hold 43 of the 63 seats in the legislature.

If convicted, the punishment would be dismissal, according to the Constitution. If Cuomo gets the impeachment process and is acquitted, he becomes governor again. He regains his position with all the powers that be.

“The trial in case of dismissal extends only to the removal from office or the removal and disqualification from holding and enjoying any public office of honor, trust or benefit under that state; but the accused party he will be liable to prosecution and punishment according to law, ”the Constitution says.

The decision to initiate an impeachment investigation came after State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie met Thursday with the Assembly of the Majority Conference.

“Reports of allegations about the governor are serious,” Heastie said in a statement.

While both investigations continue, sentiment among New York’s top Democrats is turning against Cuomo.