By Rafaela Prifti/
Source: News Reporting NYT
One week after the NY Attorney General’s report found credible the sexual allegations of eleven women towards Governor Cuomo, he announced his resignation. In his address he said that his instinct is to fight, and that he had been interested in doing so in recent days. Ultimately, he came to the decision that there is no path forward in his governorship and announced his resignation effective in 14 days. The governor spoke directly to his daughters in his announcement telling them that he would not treat any woman differently than he would want them treated.
One year ago, Cuomo was seen as perhaps former President Trump’s most effective foil. He is resigning in one of the most stunning falls in modern American politics and on a defiant note as the New York State Assembly’s is committed to moving forward with impeachment. Andrew Cuomo was elected governor in 2010 and was handily re-elected twice. He governed with an iron fist for over ten years in Albany and was seen as coasting to a fourth-term just a few months ago.The governor was hailed a national leader just a year ago during the pandemic. In announcing his resignation, the governor sought to take on the posture of public purpose emphasizing that he is driven by serving the people of New York: “the best way I can help now is to step down from office.”
He called for a “seamless” transition as Lt. Gov. Hochul steps into the governorship. She will be sworn in to replace him. Lt Gov. Hocus, a Democrat, will become the first female governor of New York.
The announcement from Mr. Cuomo, a three-term Democrat, came one week after a report from the New York State attorney general concluded that the governor sexually harassed nearly a dozen women, including current and former government workers, by engaging in unwanted touching and making inappropriate comments.
The 165-page report also found that Mr. Cuomo and his aides unlawfully retaliated against at least one of the women for making her complaints public and fostered a toxic work environment.
The report put increased pressure on Mr. Cuomo to resign, leading to new calls to do so from President Biden, a longtime friend of the governor, and other Democratic leaders who had withheld judgment until the report’s findings were made public, and leaving Mr. Cuomo with few, if any, defenders.
Andrew M. Cuomo has seen his governorship thrown into turmoil by several scandals and investigations that have threatened his position and his legacy.
The State Assembly has been conducting a separate and broader impeachment inquiry into Mr. Cuomo that has explored potential abuses of power by the governor and his administration.
Source: News Reporting NYT