ALBANY - New York's attorney general will review Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance's handling of an investigation into a sexual-abuse allegation against disgraced film mogul Harvey Weinstein, according to Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
Attorney General Eric Schneiderman's review will focus on Vance's investigation of 2015 allegations against Weinstein from model Ambra Battilana Gutierrez, which did not result in charges at the time.
Cuomo issued a statement Monday night revealing Schneiderman's review after actors including Reese Witherspoon and Natalie Portman joined workplace-equality group Time's Up in calling on the governor to act, raising concern about whether Weinstein or his associates may have influenced Vance's office.
"I have directed the Attorney General to begin a review of the 2015 case in a way that does not interfere with the current investigation and, at the conclusion of the Manhattan District Attorney's current investigation, to review the entire matter and report to me on its findings," Cuomo said in the statement.
He continued: "Based on these findings we will decide what further actions may be necessary."
Vance has been criticized for failing to prosecute Weinstein despite Battalana Gutierrez's allegations, who was convinced to wear a wire and meet with Weinstein a second time after she went to police.
The district attorney's office reopened the investigation last year after dozens of women accused Weinstein of misconduct.
In his statement, Cuomo said Vance has said his reopened probe will be finished in 45 days.
Schneiderman's review will initially focus on the 2015 investigation, according to Cuomo. When Vance's latest probe if finished, Schneiderman will review that, too, Cuomo said.
Time's Up issued a letter calling on Cuomo to launch an investigate after New York Magazine published a story Friday exploring whether the 2015 case was mishandled.
In a statement to USA TODAY, Vance spokesman Danny Frost defended the district attorney's office's record of investigating sex crimes, calling it a national leader in prosecuting sexual assaults.
"The idea that our Office would shrink from the challenge of prosecuting a powerful man is belied by our daily work and unparalleled record of success on behalf of sexual assault survivors," the statement reads.
Schneiderman's office is familiar with Weinstein and his company, filing a civil lawsuit earlier this year accusing Weinstein of widespread sexual harassment that was tolerated and covered up by his company.
"We are committed to pursuing a full, fair, and independent review of this matter," Schneiderman said in a statement Monday.
