GREG ANDRES

"The impeachment investigation must operate free of political influence and must be transparent, detailing for the public the steps being taken to protect the integrity of their impeachment investigation," Katz said in a statement. If there is even a hint of political influence in the impeachment investigation, it will taint the entire proceedings." The retention of Davis Polk & Wardwell was announced Wednesday by Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Judiciary Committee Chairman Charles Lavine. Heastie's authorization of the impeachment probe by the Judiciary Committee last week came after a meeting of the Democratic caucus. Lavine said, "The addition of Davis Polk will allow my colleagues on the Judiciary Committee and me to fully and fairly investigate the allegations."

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo speaks before getting vaccinated at a church in the Harlem section of New York, Wednesday, March 17, 2021. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, Pool)ALBANY, N.Y. – New York’s Assembly has hired a Manhattan law firm to assist in its impeachment investigation of Gov. The Manhattan firm of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, which has more than 900 attorneys, will lead the probe, said Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Judiciary Committee Chair Charles Lavine. “I have the utmost faith that Assemblymember Lavine and our Judiciary Committee will conduct a full and fair investigation,” Heastie said. On Wednesday, Cuomo received his COVID-19 vaccination at a church in Harlem, where several Black leaders in New York City appeared at his side.