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Cuomo resigns as governor after sexual harrasment allegations; Hochul to take over as first female governor of New York
Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Aug. 10 that he is resigning in 14 days, after the New York Attorney General released a report last week outlining 11 allegations of sexual harassment against him. First, Cuomo's attorney came on the state webstream to attack those making allegations against Cuomo, and then Cuomo himself spent ten minutes doing the same before resigning. Click here to hear an excerpt from Cuomo's resignation speech. Kathy Hochul, a former member of Congress from western New York who has served as Cuomo's lieutenant governor since 2015, becomes the first woman governor of New York. In fact, New York is now being led by three women: Hochul, New York Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins who becomes temporary Lt. Gov., and Attorney General Letitia James. Hochul Tweeted that, "I agree with Governor Cuomo's decision to step down. It is the right thing to do and in the best interest of New Yorkers. As someone who has served at all levels of government and is next in the line of succession, I am prepared to lead as New York State’s 57th Governor." Cuomo denies the allegations. Cuomo could still run for governor again, unless the legislature continues with impeachment and votes to bar him from future office. James said Cuomo's resignation "closes a sad chapter for all of New York, but it’s an important step towards justice." But the Cuomo case may not be closed, as several district attorney's throughout the state have ongoing investigations into Cuomo's sexual harassment, and there are also investigations of other Cuomo scandals, such as COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes.