Cuomo resigns: New York State to be headed by a woman for the first time

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced on August 10 that he is stepping down as head of state. The reason was the findings of the investigation of the Attorney General of New York, which confirmed numerous sexual harassment charges against the governor to several women, writes NBC News.

This decision will put a stop to the impeachment process of the governor, which would almost certainly result in his removal from office.

“Given the circumstances, the best I can help now is to step aside and let the government take over the governance. Therefore, this is what I will do, because I serve you and do the right thing, that is, I do what you need, ”Cuomo said in a televised address, after which he refused to answer questions.

Cuomo's resignation will take effect in 14 days. He will be replaced by Lieutenant Governor Katy Hawkul (Democratic Party). She will take over the management of the state until the next regular gubernatorial elections in 2022. Hawkul will become the first female governor of New York.

Although Cuomo, 63, has apologized to his accusers, he has made it clear that, in his opinion, he has not crossed the line to be removed from office. Instead, he framed his decision as a necessity in order to avoid protracted disputes and disagreements that would lead to a halt in the effective work of the state government.

On the subject: Corruption, intrigue, harassment: Cuomo faces impeachment threat

“This is a matter of life and death,” he said, referring to the urgent need to combat Covid-19. - Government action and waste of energy on other topics is the last thing the government should do. I cannot be the reason for such actions. I love New York and I love you. Everything I have ever done has been motivated by this love and I would never want to be useless. "

Addressing his three daughters, Cuomo said: “I want them to know that I have never intentionally disrespectful to a woman and will never do this, I will never treat any woman differently than I would like to be treated to my daughters ”.

“Your father made mistakes. He apologized and learned a lesson from this, and this is the whole essence of life, ”summed up the governor.

After being charged with sexual harassment for the first time earlier this year, Cuomo ignored the resignation demands and predicted that the investigation he had commissioned from Attorney General Laetitia James would acquit him. Instead, the report claimed that he harassed 11 women and subjected some of them to unwanted touching.

“Today we are closing a sad chapter for all of New York, but this is an important step towards justice,” James said in a series of tweets following Cuomo's resignation, adding that Hawkul's ascent would help New York usher in a “new day.”