The third-term Democratic governor delivered his farewell speech to New Yorkers Monday, his last day in office after resigning in the wake of sexual harassment allegations. ‘We didn’t always get it quite right but I want you to know from the bottom of my heart that everyday I worked my hardest,’ Cuomo said.
The governor’s personal attorney spoke via video stream on Friday, fixated on perceived “fairness issues” in the report from Attorney General Letitia James’ office that outlined the harassment claims lodged against Cuomo, who is slated to leave office Tuesday. James’ office responded to the attacks from Cuomo’s team by calling them “lies and conspiracy theories.”
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said the inquiry was no longer necessary since the governor plans to resign later this month, and also questioned whether lawmakers have the authority under state rules to impeach an official who no longer holds office.
“I spoke with Governor Cuomo yesterday and he pledged his full support for a smooth transition,” Hochul said Wednesday. “Regarding his decision to step down, I believe it is appropriate, and in the best interest of the state of New York.”
Cuomo, embroiled for the last few months in several high-profile scandals—including sexual misconduct accusations by nearly a dozen women—announced Tuesday that he was resigning from the state’s highest office, effective in two weeks.
It was a whirlwind week, we know. So we’ve compiled some of the standout moments—from the report’s release to the Friday rebuttal from Cuomo’s attorneys, which left us with lots of questions—to help keep you apprised of the key details.
With Cuomo unlikely to leave voluntarily—at least if his defiant response to James’ report is any indication—it will be up to state lawmakers to serve as the ultimate arbiters of his fate.
State Attorney General Letitia James’ civil investigation into the allegations against Cuomo found that the governor’s actions over the course of seven years “violated multiple state and federal laws, as well as the Executive Chamber’s own written policies.”
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