Andrew Cuomo is stepping down as the governor of New York.
Cuomo made the announcement moments ago in a press conference. The announcement follows on the heels of last week’s report by the state’s Attorney General which concluded that the embattled governor had sexually assaulted numerous women.
Numerous Democrats have called for Cuomo’s resignation, including President Biden, and the New York State Assembly has been conducting an impeachment investigation into his conduct. However, Cuomo had previously shown no signs of stepping down.
In his address today, Governor Cuomo called the report from the attorney general “false” but apologized to the women he said he had “truly offended,” adding “I thought a hug and putting my arm around a staff person while taking a picture was friendly, but she found it to be too forward. I kissed a woman on the cheek at a wedding and thought I was being nice, but she felt I was too aggressive. I have slipped and called people ‘honey,’ ‘sweetheart,’ and ‘darling.’ I meant it to be endearing. But women found it dated and offensive.”
The report details additional behaviors which the governor did not address in his comments, including that he touched a woman’s breasts while pointing to a logo on her t-shirt, and that he grabbed an executive assistant by the butt during hugs. The report also concludes that the governor had a history of making offensive and suggestive comments, as well as engaging in nonconsensual touching.
His resignation will be effective in 14 days. He will be replaced by Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul, who will become the state’s first female governor.
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