On the heels of an exhaustive investigation that found Governor Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed multiple women under state employment and broke the very workplace legal protections he signed into law, the three-time elected Governor resigned today. Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul assumes the Governorship in two weeks.
As leaders of advocacy organizations whose work centers advancing equity for women and girls and who serve on the New York State Council on Women and Girls, we collectively condemn the behavior of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the pattern of sexual harassment outlined in the Attorney General’s investigation. See the full joint statement.
A detailed investigation conducted by the NYS Attorney General's office confirmed extensive sexual harassment by the Governor. "It's over, the Governor must step down," said Sonia Ossorio, president of NOW-NY. "He's had his due process. It was a thorough investigation that ended in a devastating report that confirmed repeated sexual harassment and a toxic work environment."
Sex buying is neither a “quality of life” nor a “low-level offense” as many district attorneys claim. It is paid-for sexual misconduct that fuels sex trafficking, upholds racial and gender inequalities, and causes acute harm to the people purchased for sexual acts.