Andrew Cuomo says ‘I love New York and I love you’ as he quits amid sexual harassment claims

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has announced he will resign from office in 14 days, following the release of a bombshell investigation alleging he sexually harassed at least 11 women.

The 165 page-long report from New York State Attorney General Letitia James, which contains 179 witness testimonies and tens and thousands of documents, alleges that Cuomo sexually harassed multiple women, retaliated against at least one of them for publicly complaining against his behaviour and perpetuated a “toxic culture” that enabled his behaviour in the office.

Cuomo initially denied the allegations via fifteen-minute long pre-recorded video, having asserted that “the facts are much different than what has been portrayed.” He defended himself and his previous actions for 15 minutes, narrating a montage of himself embracing various citizens with hugs and kisses.

Both politicians and citizens continually called on Cuomo to resign — and a past-Cuomo likely would have seemingly done the same in someone else’s shoes. Twitter sleuths unearthed Cuomo’s own tweet from 2013, demanding there should be a “zero tolerance policy when it comes sexual harassment.”

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and New York Senators Gillibrand Chuck Schumer also suggested Cuomo step down, but he wouldn’t budge — until this morning, when Cuomo announced his resignation in 14 days.

“I love New York, and I love you,” he told viewers. “And I think that given the circumstances, the best way I can help now is if I step aside and let government get back to governing. And therefore that’s what I’ll do. Because I work for you.” He will be replaced by Lieutenant Gov. Kathy Hochul, who will be the New York State’s first woman governor.