New York AG to begin investigation into sexual harassment claims against Cuomo

• On Sunday, James said she would appoint a special counsel with subpoena power to lead the investigation.

What they're saying: "This is not a responsibility we take lightly as allegations of sexual harassment should always be taken seriously," James said in a statement Monday.

• New York State employees have been directed to cooperate fully with the investigation, Beth Garvey, special counselor to Cuomo, said in a letter to James' office.

The big picture: Cuomo issued a lengthy statement on Sunday night, saying he "never inappropriately touched anybody" but acknowledged that "some of the things I have said have been misinterpreted as an unwanted flirtation."

• Charlotte Bennett, a former health policy adviser and executive assistant to Cuomo, alleges that he asked her questions about romantic relationships that "she interpreted as clear overtures to a sexual relationship," the New York Times reports.

• Lindsey Boylan, a former New York economic development official, alleges that Cuomo at one point gave her "an unsolicited kiss in his Manhattan office," per the Times.

Of note: Cuomo's administration has reportedly retained white-collar defense attorney Elkan Abramowitz, a former federal prosecutor, to handle the sexual harassment claims, as well as allegations that Cuomo's office covered up nursing home COVID-19 deaths, the Wall Street Journal reports.

Go deeper: Cuomo scandal snares Dems on #MeToo