Cuomo Resigns After Sexual Harassment Accusations

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — After a firestorm of controversy over accusations of sexual harassment, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced his resignation Tuesday, effective in 14 days.

Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul will assume the office at that time and become the state's first woman governor.

Cuomo, who has a home in Mount Kisco, discussed the accusations during a live news conference. As a New Yorker born and bred, Cuomo said he is a fighter.

"My instinct is to fight through this controversy because I truly believe it was politically motivated," he said.

But when he took his oath, Cuomo said he became a fighter for the people. The current trajectory will mean months of legal controversy that will "consume government," and litigation will cost time and money that should be spent managing the coronavirus pandemic and tackling other critical issues, he said.

"Government really needs to function today, needs to perform a matter of life and death government operations and wasting energy on distractions is the last thing the state government should be doing. I cannot be the cause of that."

He said he loves New York, "and I love you."

Cuomo thanked his team and recounted the years of accomplishments. He also spoke of his three daughters, which he called his "jewels."

Cuomo said he would never intentionally disrespect a woman.

"And that's the God's honest truth," he said. "Your dad made mistakes, he apologized, and he learned from his mistakes. That's what life is all about."

Hochul was elected lieutenant governor in 2015. Prior to that, she represented New York's 26th Congressional District from 2011 to 2013.

She served from 2007 to 2011 as Erie County clerk.

Hochul holds a bachelor's degree from Syracuse University and a law degree from Catholic University in Washington, D.C. She was legal counsel and legislative assistant to Rep. John LaFalce and later Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan.

SEE ALSO: Westchester DA To Investigate Cuomo Sexual Harassment