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Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Tuesday he would resign as Governor of New York in fourteen days. The announcement comes amid months of turmoil for Cuomo who faces multiple of allegations, including claims of misconduct and sexual harassment.
The governor rose to a stratospheric political status when the pandemic began, but his popularity crumbled in the past months. Upon his resignation, Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul will assume the office, becoming the first female governor in the state’s history.
Report detailed sexual harassment
Cuomo’s announcement that he is leaving office comes after State Attorney General Letitia James released a damning report. That report, released after months of investigation, concluded the governor abused the powers of his office while simultaneously violating state and federal laws. The report alleged the governor harassed multiple women throughout his tenure and sought retribution against them.
After the report’s release, Democrats in the state assembly announced their intent to begin impeachment proceedings against Cuomo. New York State Assemblywoman Catalina Cruz told NPR Monday the assembly’s judiciary committee was looking into multiple impeachable offenses.
“We’re looking at the issue around construction safety at the Mario Cuomo Bridge, the allegations of sexual harassment, and the possible use of government staff for the editing of the governor’s book,” Cruz told NPR’s Noel King.
Cruze said the assembly is also looking into allegations Cuomo hid information about COVID deaths in state nursing homes.
When asked if impeachment proceedings would stop if the Governor were to resign, Cruz said she wasn’t sure they would.
“You know, because there is no precedent, there could be very well where this ends,” Cruz said before continuing. “And it could be very well where we continue our process of impeachment even if he resigns.”
Cuomo continued to deny the allegations of sexual harassment even as he resigned, calling them “political”.