New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced his resignation on Aug. 10, 2021, effective in 14 days, amid accusations of sexual misconduct.
Cuomo's resignation comes days after Brittany Commisso, an executive assistant, filed a criminal complaint against him, accusing him of groping her. "To me and the other women that he did this to, oh, it was not normal," Commisso told The New York Times in an Aug. 9 interview. "It was not welcomed, and it was certainly not consensual."
During his resignation speech, Cuomo maintained his assertion that the accusations leveled against him were political.
Nevertheless, he said, "I think given the circumstances, the best way I can help now is if I step aside and let government get back to governing."
His full speech can be viewed here:
An investigation by the New York Attorney General released on Aug. 3 found that Cuomo violated state and federal laws in sexually harassing at least 11 women and retaliated against a former employee who complained publicly about that conduct.
New York Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul will assume the role of acting governor in Cuomo's place, when he leaves office in two weeks.