New York Governor Resigns Over Sexual Harassment Allegations

Posted on

Though it took awhile to happen, New York’s governor, Andrew Cuomo, is now resigning over sexual harassment allegations that have come to light.

Cuomo, 63, will be leaving office in two weeks and resigned a week after an investigation concluded that he did sexually harass 11 women.

His lawyer has denied claims that he had sexually harassed anyone during his three terms in office. Cuomo said he would resign because he did not want to distract the state from important work to be done.

Democrat Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul will replace Cuomo and become the Empire State’s first female governor.

A report issued by the state Attorney General’s office had found that Cuomo sexually harassed at least 11 current and former staffers, including a state police trooper assigned to his protective detail and women outside of government.

At least five district attorney’s offices around the state have begun probes of possible crimes by Cuomo against some of the women.

“Given the circumstances, the best way I can help now is if I step aside and let government get back to government,” Cuomo said.

“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.”

“In my mind, I have never crossed the line with anyone,” he said. “But I didn’t realize the extent to which the line has been redrawn.”

“Thank you for letting me serve you. It has been the honor of a lifetime,” Cuomo said. “God bless you.”

Hochul tweeted: “I agree with Governor Cuomo’s decision to step down. It is the right thing to do and in the best interest of New Yorkers.”

“As someone who has served at all levels of government and is next in the line of succession, I am prepared to lead as New York State’s 57th Governor,” she said.

President Biden called for Cuomo to resign and said, “I respect the governor’s decision.”

“He’s done a hell of a job,” Biden said. “A hell of a job … that’s why it’s so sad.”

In a CBS News interview, Cuomo executive assistant Brittany Commisso had alleged that the governor groped her breast in one incident, and then rubbed her rear end during another encounter in the Executive Mansion in Albany.

“What he did to me was a crime. He broke the law,” Commisso said.

Cuomo stated, “I want them to know, from the bottom of my heart: I never did, and I never would, intentionally disrespect a woman or treat a woman differently than I would want them treated.”

“Your dad made mistakes. And he apologized. And he learned from it. And that’s what life is all about,” Cuomo said, in regards to his own daughters.