Andrew Cuomo, New York state’s governor, has resigned amid a sexual harassment scandal he is embroiled in.
His resignation came after a panel of inquiry found that he sexually harassed multiple women.
Following calls for his resignation in the wake of the allegations, Cuomo had authorised the state’s attorney-general, Letitia James, to carry out an investigation.
The report of the panel of inquiry said that he harassed 11 women, some of whom he allegedly groped and touched inappropriately.
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“The best way I can help now is if I step aside and let government get back to government and therefore, that’s what I’ll do,” Cuomo said on Tuesday.
“It is a matter of life and death. Government operations and wasting energy on distraction is the last thing government should be.
“I cannot be the cause. New York tough means New York loving. And I love New York and I love you. Everything I have ever done has been motivated by that love and I would never want to be unhelpful in any way.”
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Cuomo, 63, said he will leave office in 14 days but maintained that he did nothing wrong.
Addressing his daughters, Cuomo said: “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.”
“Your dad made mistakes. And he apologized, and he learned from it and that’s what life is all about.”
Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, will succeed Cuomo and serve the remainder of his term.
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