by Aaron Feis and Sam Raskin at The New York Post
Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced his resignation on Tuesday under threat of impeachment following the release of a scathing Attorney General report in which investigators concluded that he sexually harassed several women in violation of state and federal law.
“I think that given the circumstances, the best way I can help now is if I step aside,” Cuomo said from his Manhattan office.
Cuomo’s resignation will be effective in 14 days, the governor said.
Under state law, Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul will assume the role of governor, becoming the first woman to lead the Empire State.
Cuomo’s resignation marks a stunning, ignominious end to the Democrat’s three-term run as governor — the same number of terms to which his father — the late Gov. Mario Cuomo whom the younger Cuomo idolized — was elected.
It also represents a reversal from Cuomo’s repeated refusal to resign, after documentation of his rampant, illegal sexual harassment was released by the AG investigation.
The defiant public statements refusing to step aside included Cuomo releasing a bizarre, pre-recorded video that included a montage of the governor kissing and touching people, and Cuomo’s outside lawyers attacking some of the women who accused him of sexual harassment and questioning the credibility of James’ investigation.
He initially defied demands to step aside from the United States president, dozens of major New York Democrats, and regular Empire State residents…
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