New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announces he will resign from office following accusations of sexual harassment and inappropriate conduct from a number of women, including former staffers and one current staffer.
A withering report from the state’s attorney general documented multiple accusations of sexual harassment against women.
The decision heads off his almost certain impeachment and conviction in the state Legislature.
The 63-year-old Democrat emphatically denied intentionally mistreating women and called the pressure for his ouster politically motivated. But he said that fighting back in this “too hot” political climate would subject the state to months of turmoi.
According to Gov. Andrew Cuomo: The best way I can help now is if I step aside and let government get back to governing and therefore that is what I’ll do, because I work for you, and doing the right thing, is doing the right thing for you,” Cuomo said in a televised address, at which he took no questions.
Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, a fellow Democrat, will serve the rest of his term when the resignation becomes effective in 14 days. She will become the state’s first female governor.
