What's next for Gov. Cuomo following his resignation amid sexual harassment allegations?

Citing the current political environment and the dire coronavirus challenges facing the state of New York, Cuomo said it was not in his nature to stop fighting, but said forthcoming impeachment proceedings would waste state money and attention for months.

News 12 Staff

Aug 10, 2021, 11:58 AM

Updated 1,210 days ago

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Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Tuesday that he will step down in 14 days in the wake of an investigation by state Attorney General Letitia James that found he sexually harassed multiple women.
Citing the current political environment and the dire coronavirus challenges facing the state of New York, Cuomo said it was not in his nature to stop fighting but said forthcoming impeachment proceedings would waste state money and attention for months.
"The best way I can help now is if I step aside and let government get back to governing," he said.
President Joe Biden said in a news conference, "I respect the governor's decision and I respect the decision he made."
For the past decade, Cuomo was by far the most powerful person politically in New York state. He had visions of going from the state Capitol to the nation's Capitol. Cuomo also had his critics.
Last week's report from the state attorney general that concluded he sexually harassed and inappropriately touched 11 women. That was followed by the state Assembly's Judiciary Committee saying that a vote on possible impeachment was weeks away.
FULL COVERAGE: Gov. Cuomo's Resignation
Assemblywoman Jodi Giglio criticized Cuomo for having his attorney give a lengthy and detailed rebuttal to the sexual misconduct allegations right before his resignation speech, which also included repeated denials of wrongdoing.
"The brave women that came forward -- to go through each one of them and try to discredit each and every one of them only at the end of the day to resign is a disgrace," says Giglio. "It's a disgrace to women and I think New Yorkers are disappointed."
At least one member of the Judiciary Committee called for the impeachment inquiry to continue during Cuomo's final two weeks in office, saying it would be disrespectful to his accusers not to.