New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, hounded with mounting legal pressures, said he will step down from office after an inquiry found that he sexually harassed 11 current and former women staffers.
The inquiry capped a startling downfall for one of the most prominent public figures in the United States who was once seen as a possible presidential contender.
The investigation also found that, in one instance, he sought to retaliate against one of his accusers who went public with her claims. The governor's resignation will be effective in 14 days.
The governor's shocking announcement from his Manhattan office Tuesday via livestream came minutes after his attorney again denied allegations he had sexually harassed anyone during his three terms in office.
His decision to vacate his post spared him from a potentially lengthy impeachment court proceeding in the New York Assembly that could see him ousted from power.
Cuomo said that the best way he can help now is if he resigns and let the government "get back to governing," CNBC's Dan Mangan reported.
Buffalo native Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul is set to replace the 63-year old Cuomo as governor. Hochul, who will turn 63 this month, will be the first female governor of the Empire State.
In a statement, Hochul said she agreed with Cuomo's decision to quit. Hochul served one term in the U.S. Congress before the governor tapped her to be his running mate in 2014.
Local prosecutors in Manhattan, Westchester, Nassau, and Albany counties said, following the release of the report, they're evaluating the matter and have requested evidence from the independent probe.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said Cuomo, who had for months denied growing accusations of sexual misconduct, should face criminal charges.
The outgoing governor said the inquiry was biased against him, though he admitted he accepted "full responsibility" for what he claimed as ill-conceived attempts to be humorous or affectionate, Reuters reported.
Jen Psaki, White House press secretary, said U.S. President Joe Biden had not talked to Hochul about Cuomo's departure but said they look forward to working with the incoming governor.
Biden had called for Cuomo to step down after the flood of accusations made headlines. On Tuesday, the President said he respected Cuomo's decision to quit.
