New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) says he will step down from his post just a week after the state’s attorney general found that he sexually harassed several women.
In a press conference on Tuesday, Cuomo said his “instinct” was to fight through the controversy.
“New York Tough means New York loving. And I l love New York, and I love you. And everything I have ever done has been motivated by that love. And I would never want to be unhelpful in any way,” the governor said.
He added, “I think that given the circumstances, the best way I can help now is to step aside and let government get back to governing.”
His resignation will be effective in 14 days.
#BREAKING: Gov. Andrew Cuomo resigns from office, says, "I love New York and I love you." pic.twitter.com/CVHbr5KHiz
— Forbes (@Forbes) August 10, 2021
New York Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) will assume the post after his resignation.
His resignation caps a dramatic fall from grace. Once hailed as the “gold standard” of the COVID-19 pandemic, Cuomo found himself receiving bipartisan calls for his resignation and the prospect of impeachment.
New York State Attorney General Letitia James (D) released a report last week that found Cuomo “sexually harassed a number of State employees through unwelcome and unwanted touching, as well as by making numerous offensive and sexually suggestive comments.”
Cuomo has not been charged with a crime and denied after the report that he “touched anyone inappropriately or made inappropriate sexual advances.”
