Top Cuomo Aide Melissa DeRosa Resigns After Scandal: Reports

NEW YORK CITY — One of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s top aides and allies has resigned amid a sexual harassment scandal that threatens to topple the governor.

Melissa DeRosa stepped down from her role as secretary to the governor, the New York Times reported.

DeRosa is the highest-ranking non-elected official in the state and had been a constant presence at Cuomo’s side throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

But a bombshell report released last week by Attorney General Letitia James found DeRosa helped lead efforts to retaliate against one of 11 women who investigators found were sexual harassed by Cuomo.

Cuomo has denied the accusations and continues to resist near-universal calls for his resignation, even in the face of potential impeachment.

In a statement to the Times, DeRosa said the past two years had been emotionally and mentally taxing.

“It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve the people of New York for the past 10 years. New Yorkers’ resilience, strength, and optimism through the most difficult times has inspired me every day,” the Times reported she said. “I am forever grateful for the opportunity to have worked with such talented and committed colleagues on behalf of our state.”

Read the New York Times report here.