New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo to be investigated for sexual harassment

CNBC's Shep Smith reports on sexual harassment allegations against New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. With CNBC's Contessa Brewer. For access to live and exclusive video from CNBC subscribe to CNBC PRO:

New York Attorney General Letitia James will oversee an investigation with subpoena power into sexual harassment allegations against Gov. Andrew Cuomo after the state’s top Democrat gave into pressure from his own party to agree to an independent probe.

Cuomo’s office asked James on Sunday to appoint a private lawyer to conduct an independent review of the allegations. The lawyer will be designated a Special Independent Deputy Attorney General and have all powers provided under state law, according to the governor’s office.

Cuomo’s office on Sunday evening said it would cooperate fully with an independent review.

“This is not a responsibility we take lightly,” James said in a statement Sunday evening. “We will hire a law firm, deputize them as attorneys of our office, and oversee a rigorous and independent investigation.”

Cuomo’s decision to empower James to oversee an investigation into the allegations against him is a reversal for the governor. He had asked James and Janet DiFiore, chief judge on the state’s highest court, to choose who will oversee an independent probe. However, James rejected the proposal that she work with DiFiore and requested full power under state law to conduct an independent probe.

The back and forth with James and the decision ultimately to empower her comes after Cuomo backed off his first plan earlier in the day to appoint a former federal judge, who has a close connection to one of his top advisors, to oversee an investigation into the sexual harassment allegations against him.

A slew of Democrats criticized the governor’s initial pick to lead a review and called for an independent probe of allegations after a second female aide came forward to accuse Cuomo of sexual harassment. Some Democratic lawmakers also joined some Republicans to call on Cuomo to immediately resign.

Cuomo’s office initially said it would choose former federal judge Barbara Jones to lead the review. Jones had worked with Cuomo’s top adviser Steven Cohen.

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