New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has announced his resignation after an independent investigation by the State Attorney General’s Office found he sexually harassed multiple women, according to reports.
CNN White House correspondent Kaitlan Collins was the first to announce the news on Twitter.
“The best way I can help now is if I step aside and let government get back to governing, and therefore, that’s what I’ll do,” Cuomo reportedly said of his forthcoming resignation, which would take effect in two weeks.
The resignation is seen as an astonishing fall from grace for one of the nation’s most prominent governors, and a blemish to the legacy of the Cuomo political dynasty — which includes Cuomo’s father, Mario Cuomo, who served as New York governor from 1983 to 1994.
Cuomo, a three-term Democratic governor himself, became a champion of the people during the height of last year’s pandemic and was widely praised for his leadership, which included a televised daily briefing.
At the time, his name started to be mentioned in some circles as a candidate for president.
Cuomo also regularly appeared last spring on “Cuomo Prime Time” — the CNN show of his younger brother Chris Cuomo — to discuss favorable matters pertaining to the governor’s handling of the outbreak in his state.
After the sexual harassment allegations against the governor began to emerge in late 2020, however, the host was criticized for his lack of coverage of the matter for the network, either on the air or behind the scenes.
Conservative voices seized on the issue, saying Chris Cuomo had compromised his objectivity and journalistic integrity.
“The best way I can help now is if I step aside and let government get back to governing, and therefore, that's what I'll do."
The younger Cuomo also admitted to participating in phone calls with the staff of his brother, where strategies were discussed on how the governor should respond to the accusations.
Another sign of trouble for the governor came in January, when an investigation found that his administration had undercounted COVID-19-related deaths at nursing homes by as much as 50%.
Throughout the year, a steady drumbeat of accusers continued to come forward with more allegations.
A 168-page report by two independent attorneys picked by the state attorney general to investigate Cuomo said he subjected at least 11 women to inappropriate sexual advances, including unwanted kisses; reaching underneath clothing or inappropriate touching; making insinuating remarks about looks and asking unwelcome personal questions about sex and dating.
The alleged harassment created a work environment “rife with fear and intimidation,” according to The Associated Press.
Cuomo has consistently denied touching anyone inappropriately but acknowledged making some aides uncomfortable with comments he said he intended to be playful.
Pressure for the governor to resign had been building for months, with momentum most recently in the State Legislature to remove him by impeachment. President Joe Biden also joined a chorus of voices calling for him to resign.
Just days ago, a woman who accused Cuomo of groping her breast at the governor’s state residence filed a criminal complaint against him, the Albany County Sheriff’s office said Friday. He could be arrested if investigators or the county district attorney determine he committed a crime, Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple told the New York Post.
Melissa DeRosa, Cuomo’s top aide throughout the pandemic, also resigned Sunday.
Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, a 62-year-old Democrat and former member of Congress from the Buffalo area, will become the state’s 57th governor and the first woman to take the seat, the AP reported.
This is a developing story. Stay with AJC.com for the latest updates.
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