New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has resigned amid a sexual harassment investigation.
“The best way I can help now is if I step aside,” Cuomo said this afternoon, announcing his resignation.
New York Attorney General Letitia James had found Cuomo violated both state and federal laws in sexually harassing a number of women who worked in his office.
An official report released on August 3 found Cuomo subjected several women to impropriety and non-consensual touching.
“The independent investigation has concluded that Governor Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed multiple women and in doing so violated federal and state law,” Attorney General James said last week.
James said Cuomo had sexually harassed the women with “unwelcome and non-consensual touching” and by making “numerous offensive comments.”
The report claims one employee was retaliated against by Cuomo and certain members of his staff when she made an initial complaint.
Two independent lawyers spoke to over 179 people over five months in conducting the investigation, finding Cuomo’s office was a “hostile work environment…rife with fear and intimidation”
When allegations were levelled against him last year, Governor Cuomo denied touching anyone inappropriately and, resisting calls for his resignation, said he was sorry if his actions had been “misinterpreted as unwanted flirtation.”
He more recently denied any and all wrongdoing, instead choosing to question the integrity of the lawyers appointed to investigate the allegations.
That report and calls for his resignation from President Joe Biden has forced the New Yorker to stand down today.
One office aide came forward late last year to allege Cuomo had grabbed her breast, whilst another, Lindsey Boylan, said he would touch her on the lower back, arms and legs, and kissed her on one occasion.
Another aide was allegedly asked by Cuomo if she was interested in sex with an older man, whilst more reported being asked other personal questions about dating and sex.
https://twitter.com/disclosetv/status/1425126893565665288
BREAKING: New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo to resign following accusations of sexual harassment from multiple women: “Given the circumstances, the best way I can help now is if I step aside and let government get back to governing.” https://t.co/MICPAfXk90 pic.twitter.com/B4xdekfl9a
— Good Morning America (@GMA) August 10, 2021