The Governor of New York, USA, Andrew Cuomo, has been forced to resign following allegations of sexual harassment leveled against him.
He is expected to leave office in 14 days. Mr Cuomo is reportedly facing an impeachment inquiry over the sexual harassment allegations.
He announced his resignation on Tuesday, August 10, 2021.
African Entertainment gathered from several American media reports that a report from the New York state’s attorney general documented multiple accusations of sexual harassment against women.
In a television address monitored by African Entertainment, Mr Cuomo, aged 63, stated that “Given the circumstances, the best way I can help now is if I step aside and let government get back to government, and therefore that is what I’ll do, because I work for you, and doing the right thing, is doing the right thing for you.”
He has apologized for his conduct.
Reports say Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul will serve the rest of Mr Cuomo’s term when the resignation becomes effective in 14 days.
“I want them to know from the bottom of my heart that I never did and I never would intentionally disrespect a woman, treat any woman differently than I would want them treated, and that is the God’s honest truth,” he said while addressing his three daughters.
Mr Cuomo added “Your dad made mistakes. And he apologized, and he learned from it and that’s what life is all about.”
Mr Cuomo had authorized state Attorney General Letitia James to carry out an investigation into the first case of sexual harassment leveled against him this year.
Though he was quite hopeful that he would be vindicated, the report from the investigation
further alleged that he had harassed 11 women — nine of whom were state employees — and subjected some of them to unwelcome touching and groping.
According to the report, his office retaliated against one of the women after she spoke out about how she was treated, the report alleged.
Even though Mr Cuomo rendered apology for his behavior, he maintained that he did not intend to harass any of his accusers.
“I do hug and kiss people casually, women and men. I have done it all my life. It’s who I’ve been since I can remember,” Cuomo said. “In my mind, I’ve never crossed the line with anyone, but I didn’t realize the extent to which the line has been redrawn. There are generational and cultural shifts that I just didn’t fully appreciate,” according to him.
The 165-page report revealed that in one of the 11 cases, Mr Cuomo allegedly groped an executive assistant under her shirt.
In another case, Mr Cuomo allegedly fondled a state trooper.
According to the report, Mr Cuomo “sexually harassed a number of current and former New York state employees by, among other things, engaging in unwelcome and nonconsensual touching, as well as making numerous offensive comments of a suggestive and sexual nature that created a hostile work environment for women.”
