After series of sexual harassment allegations leveled against him and with pressure coming from all corners for him to step aside, New York Governor, Andrew Cuomo, announced his resignation on Tuesday, August 10.
Associated Press reports that the decision came a week after New York’s attorney general released the results of an investigation that found Cuomo sexually harassed at least 11 women.
Investigators said he subjected women to unwanted kisses; groped their breasts or buttocks or otherwise touched them inappropriately; made insinuating remarks about their looks and their sex lives; and created a work environment “rife with fear and intimidation.”
Although the 63-year-old Democrat has denied all the allegations, he indicated in his resignation speech that he decision was best for governance to continue as investigations may take time and so much money from the taxpayer.
“The best way I can help now is if I step aside and let government get back to governing,” Cuomo said in a televised address.
His resignation is to take effect in 14 days. However, some politicians, especially Cuomo’s predecessor, David Paterson, think his long wait before leaving office is suspicious.
“It was just a little puzzling that they wanted to have that amount of time,” Paterson said in an interview.
He further indicated that the governor may not be ready and that he is really not aware of all that is happening around him.
“I just think the governor has just not resolved in his mind what’s actually going on yet and his self-awareness just does not seem to be particularly helpful to him at this particular time,” Paterson said.