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New York Governor Cuomo resigns after charges of harassment

Cuomo, who had also been considered a possible presidential candidate for the Democrats in the course of his career, drew the consequences of allegations of harassment by several women, which he continues to reject.

In addition to the Republicans, numerous influential politicians from his own party, including President Joe Biden, had called for Cuomo’s resignation. His office is to be taken over by Vice-Governor Kathy Hochul, who would be the first woman to rule the state with more than 19 million inhabitants.

Cuomo was also charged by an official investigation last week, but has rejected the allegations to this day. In a video, however, he has now announced his resignation. “I love New York and I would never want to be unhelpful in any way,” he said. “And the best way I can help now is to step aside and let the government go back to governing.” The democratic politician had been in office since 2011. He had only been re-elected two years ago.

He continues to defend himself against the allegations: “My lawyers have looked through the investigation report in the past few days and have already denounced numerous problems and errors.” The most serious allegations were not substantiated by the report. Accusations and investigation report politically motivated. His lawyer Rita Glavin also denounced errors and omissions in the report for around an hour.

In his statement, Cuomo also apologized to the women concerned. “But that doesn’t mean that there aren’t eleven women I’ve hurt. And I apologize from the bottom of my heart.” Cuomo had long struggled against resigning and repeatedly denied the allegations.

The investigation by New York Attorney General Letitia James found that Cuomo had sexually molested several women. Among other things, there were unwanted touches, kisses, hugs and inappropriate comments. In addition, Cuomo created a “hostile work atmosphere” and a “climate of fear” for women.

The 168-page report states, “We note that the governor has sexually assaulted a number of past and present employees of the state, including inadvertently touching them, and making abusive, sexually offensive comments that created a hostile work atmosphere for women. ” Attorney General James spoke of a “disruptive behavior” on the part of the governor.

In the corona pandemic, Cuomo had initially become the Democratic Party’s bearer of hope. He presented himself as an alternative to the then Republican President Donald Trump. Almost every day he provided information about the development of the infection process in his state and the measures to be taken against it. The press conferences were followed live by millions of people – and the governor was even awarded an Emmy, the most important television award in the United States, for this.

Cuomo is divorced and has three grown daughters. His father Mario Cuomo was also governor between 1983 and 1994.

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