New York Gov. Cuomo resigns amid sexual harassment alllegations

“I'm a New Yorker, born and bred. I'm a fighter and my instinct is to fight through this controversy because I truly believe it is politically motivated, I believe it is unfair and it is untruthful and I believe it demonizes behavior that is unsustainable for society,”

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo

(CMR) New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (63) said Tuesday he will resign effective in two weeks after a New York state investigation released last week found Cuomo “sexually harassed multiple women and violated state law” during the Demoncrat's three terms in office.

Cuomo’s surprising announcement came via a live stream from his Manhattan office minutes after his lawyer during her own statement to reporters denied the sexual harassment allegations.

Cuomo called the impeachment investigation into him “politically motivated” — but added that he was stepping down because he would “never want to be unhelpful in any way.”

Cuomo continued: “New York tough means New York loving, and I love New York, and I love you. I would never want to be unhelpful in any way.”

Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul will replace Cuomo, and become the Empire State’s first female governor.

Cuomo’s resignation comes a week after a damning report issued by the state Attorney General’s office found he had sexually harassed current and former staffers, along with a state police trooper assigned to his protective detail, and women outside of government.

At least five district attorney’s offices in counties around the state are investigating possible crimes by Cuomo against some of the women, or have requested evidence from the AG’s report.

Cuomo, 63, said he was motivated to step down to avoid months of distraction for the state, which is continuing to deal with the Covid pandemic, from an all-but-certain impeachment of him over allegations he sexually harassed at least 11 women.

“Thank you for letting me serve you. It has been the honor of a lifetime,” Cuomo said.

“God bless you.”

Hochul, a Buffalo Democrat who will turn 63 this month, in a tweet, said “I agree with Governor Cuomo’s decision to step down. It is the right thing to do and in the best interest of New Yorkers.”

“As someone who has served at all levels of government and is next in the line of succession, I am prepared to lead as New York State’s 57th Governor,” Hochul wrote.