Cuomo resigns as harassment charges escalate
WASHINGTON: New York state’s Democratic governor Andrew Cuomo announced on Tuesday that he was resigning after days of defying growing calls for him to step down over allegations of sexual harassment by 11 women, including current and former government employees.
“New York tough means New York loving. And I love New York. And I love you. And everything I have ever done has been motivated by that love,” Cuomo said, adding that the best way for him to serve the state was to step aside. His resignation will be effective 14 days from now.
Kathy Hochul, a 62-year-old Democrat and former member of the US Congress, will take over from Cuomo and become New York’s first woman governor.
Cuomo, 63, a three-term governor, had earlier on gained celebrity status for his handling of the Covid-19 pandemic in New York state, especially when compared to then US president Donald Trump.
Last week, an independent investigation ordered by New York state’s attorney general Letitia James found that he had sexually harassed the 11 women between 2013 and 2020.
Brittany Commisso, who was identified in the attorney general’s report as executive assistant No. 1 but has since come forward publicly, said Cuomo had once sexually abused her. She has publicly spoken about the episode in interviews. Cuomo and his personal lawyer have disputed the allegations.
“I take full responsibility for my actions. I have been too familiar with people,” the disgraced New York governor Cuomo said in televised remarks.
The New York state assembly had launched an impeachment inquiry against Cuomo amid calls for his resignation, including from US President Joe Biden, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer.