Involved in sexual harassment cases, New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo announced on Tuesday that he was resigning from office, a week after a damning report on the case.
Andrew Cuomo, 63, said in an online press conference that his resignation would be effective in 14 days.
“Given the circumstances, the best way to help you is to withdraw me,” said the elected Democrat, who also offered his “deep apologies” to the women who “felt offended” by his actions.
Investigation with damning conclusions
Governor since 2011, reelected in 2014 and 2018, Andrew Cuomo was implicated for the first time last February. In March, he rebuffed calls to resign. Since then, the testimonies of former employees of his administration or advisers have multiplied.
The situation has become even more difficult for him since the release, a week ago, of the damning conclusions of an investigation requested by the Attorney General of New York Letitia James, who accused him of having sexually harassed eleven women and violated federal and state laws.
In the process, US President Joe Biden called on him to leave office. Among the women featured in the report, an aide filed a lawsuit last week, paving the way for legal action against the governor.
>> Read about it: First complaint filed against New York Governor Andrew Cuomo
“No credible basis”
“The most serious accusations have no credible basis in the report. And there is a difference between allegations of inappropriate actions and the fact of concluding that there is sexual harassment”, defended himself further Andrew Cuomo tuesday. “But that doesn’t mean eleven women weren’t offended. They are. And for that, I deeply apologize,” he added.
Andrew Cuomo paid tribute to Vice Governor Kathy Hochul, “smart and competent”, who will replace him immediately and become the first female governor of New York State.
>> Listen to the program Tout un monde take stock of the charges against Andrew Cuomo on August 5:
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