NY governor refuses to quit over scandal
NEW YORK: New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said Wednesday he would not resign over a sexual harassment scandal as he asked Americans to await the outcome of an independent investigation into his conduct.
In his first public remarks since three women accused him last week of inappropriate behavior, Cuomo apologised for his actions but ruled out quitting, at least until the probe delivers its findings.
“I’m not going to resign,” the 63-year-old told reporters during a coronavirus briefing.
“I’m going to do the job that the people of the state elected me to do.”
The Democrat became a national star last spring for his handling of New York’s chapter of the pandemic, with many commentators tipping him for a role in President Joe Biden’s administration.
But the three-term governor has suffered a spectacular fall from grace, with members of his own party joining Republicans and his accusers in calling for his resignation. Cuomo, appearing to choke up at times, said he now understood that the way he acted had made the women feel “uncomfortable.”
“It was unintentional. And I truly, and deeply apologise. I feel awful about it. And frankly, I am embarrassed by it,” he said.
Cuomo said he would “fully cooperate” with the investigation into his conduct being led by New York state Attorney-General Letitia James.
He asked New Yorkers to await the outcome of the probe before “forming an opinion on the allegations.”
“Make the decision when you know the facts,” the governor said.
No deadline has been set for the investigation, which could last months.