New York Gov. Democrat Andrew Cuomo is stepping down after allegations of sexual harassment. He faced strong pressure from his own party.
–
New York Gov. Democrat Andrew Cuomo, 64, is resigning after allegations of sexual harassment.
He himself announced this in a live speech.
“Given the circumstances, taking a step back and letting the authorities continue to govern is the best way I can help,” Cuomo said.
He will sit for another two weeks, before being replaced by Deputy Governor Kathy Hochul. She wants to be the state’s first female governor.
TAKE ADMINISTRATION: New York’s current Deputy Governor Kathy Hochul. Foto: BRENDAN MCDERMID / Reuters
––
Cuomo has been in bad weather in recent weeks, and faced strong pressure from his own party to withdraw.
Both President Joe Biden and Nancy Pelosi, the leader of the House of Representatives, on Tuesday called for Cuomo to resign. They are both party colleagues of Cuomo, who has been governor of New York since 2011.
Spoke to the daughters: – Their father has made a mistake
The pressure increased on Tuesday, when a report from a five-month investigation claimed that he had sexually harassed 11 women.
BACKGROUND: Crushing report on the New York governor
The investigation was carried out by two lawyers, who spoke to 179 people, and came after several women leveled accusations of sexual harassment and inappropriate behavior towards the governor earlier this year.
—-GIVES: Outgoing Governor Andrew Cuomo announced on Tuesday that he is resigning. Foto: HOGP / Office of the Governor of New York
––
During a press conference on Tuesday morning, where Cuomo himself announced the news of his departure, he addressed his daughters directly and said:
– Their father has made a mistake, he apologizes and has learned from it. And that’s what life is about, said the governor.
He has a total of three daughters with his ex-wife Kerry Kennedy: the twins Cara Kennedy-Cuomo (25) and Mariah Kennedy-Cuomo (25), as well as Michaela Kennedy-Cuomo (22).
Cuomo accusers emerged
Earlier this week, Brittany Commisso – who reported the governor for sexual harassment – forward with his story in the media.
Commisso is one of eleven women whose allegations of sexual harassment were the main focus of an investigation by New York’s Attorney General Letitia James.
– The governor must be held accountable. What he did to me is a crime, she says in an interview that was partially published in several American media on Sunday.
–
