New York Governor Resigns Over Sex Scandal
By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
(Worthy News) – After mounting pressure from his party and even the White House, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo resigned over sexual harassment allegations.
The three-term Democratic governor’s decision was announced as momentum built in the Legislature to remove him by impeachment.
He had lost the support of the Democratic party establishment with U.S. President Joe Biden, who himself had faced allegations of improper touching, calling Cuomo to resign.
Similar demands came from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, both of New York’s US Senators – one of whom is Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer. Others demanding his resignation included two Democratic New York congressmen, New York City mayor Bill de Blasio and Republicans in Washington DC.
His decision to step down followed the New York’s attorney general release of the results of an investigation that found Cuomo sexually harassed at least 11 women.
Investigators said he subjected women to unwanted kisses or otherwise touched them inappropriately.
He allegedly also made insinuating remarks about their looks and their sex lives and created a work environment “rife with fear and intimidation.”
Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, a 62-year-old Democrat and former member of Congress from the Buffalo area, will replace him as the state’s 57th governor. She is the first woman to hold the post.
Tuesday’s resignation came after Cuomo also came under pressure over allegations that many of the state’s nursing home residents died because of the virus and an apparent effort to hide the actual toll.
Cuomo was criticized over a state requirement that forced nursing homes to take back residents who had been hospitalized with COVID-19 once they recovered. Critics said the policy increased the number of virus-related deaths among nursing home residents.
Cuomo and his aides dismissed the outcry as politically motivated. The State Health Department released a report in July saying the policy was not responsible for an increase.
However, the report also raised questions about how the state was reporting deaths.
The scandals overshadowed praise Cuomo received by friends and foes for detailed daily briefings and perceived leadership during the coronavirus pandemic.
The 63-year-old divorced father of three has denied wrongdoing.
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