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- US President Joe Biden calls for the resignation of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo after a report found he sexually harassed multiple women
- After a five-month independent inquiry, State Attorney General Letitia James revealed that the Cuomo administration was a “hostile work environment”
- President Biden has stood by his previous statement that Mr Cuomo should resign if the allegations were true
- Mr Cuomo has denied all of this in a video statement and apologised if he acted in a way that made people feel uncomfortable
- The investigation will not lead to any criminal charges against Mr Cuomo, however the Albany County district attorney is undertaking his own probe
US President Joe Biden has called for the resignation of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo after a report found he sexually harassed multiple women.
Investigators interviewed 179 people including state troopers, current and former members of the executive chambers, and employees who regularly interacted with Mr Cuomo.
After a five-month independent inquiry, State Attorney General Letitia James revealed that the Cuomo administration was a “hostile work environment” and it was “rife with fear and intimidation”.
“Governor Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed multiple women and in doing so, violated federal and state law,” Ms James said at a media conference.
“Specifically, the investigation found that Governor Cuomo sexually harassed current and former New York State employees by engaging in unwelcome and non-consensual touching and making numerous offensive comments of a suggestive and sexual nature, that created a hostile work environment for women.”
President Biden has previously stated Mr Cuomo should resign if the allegations were true and has stood by that statement.
“I think he should resign,” President Biden told reporters.
Other prominent Democrats such as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and New York Mayor Bill de Blasio have also demanded he resign.
Mr Cuomo, a Democratic governor since 2011, denied all the accusations in a video statement.
“I want you to know directly from me that I never touched anyone inappropriately or made inappropriate sexual advances,” Mr Cuomo said.
“I am 63 years old. I’ve lived my entire adult life in public view. That is just not who I am. And that’s not who I have ever been.
“I now understand that I acted in a way that made people feel uncomfortable. It was unintentional, and I truly and deeply apologise for it. I feel awful about it. And frankly, I am embarrassed by it.”
The investigation will not directly lead to any criminal charges against Mr Cuomo, however the Albany County district attorney is undertaking his own probe.
