ALBANY, N.Y. — Gov. Cuomo remained steadfast in his refusal to step down on Friday despite withering support from fellow Democrats and new accusations of sexual harassment.
The governor, clinging to power amid mounting allegations of misconduct, dismissed calls for his resignation as a majority of New York’s Democratic Congressional delegation voiced concerns about his ability to lead earlier in the day.
“People know the difference between playing politics, bowing to cancel culture and the truth,” Cuomo said during an afternoon call with reporters.
The three-term governor, who has been worked in politics his entire adult life and whose father also occupied the Executive Mansion, then attempted to paint himself as a political outsider being targeted by critics and cryptically insinuated that his accusers may have ulterior motives.
“Part of this is I’m not part of the political club, and you know what? I’m proud of it,” the 63-year-old said.
More than six women, a majority of whom worked for the governor, have accused Cuomo of sexual harassment or making unwanted advances, including a current staffer who says the governor reached under her blouse and aggressively groped her at the Executive Mansion late last year.
The aide was the sixth woman to come forward with allegations against Cuomo, who continued to deny any wrongdoing.
“Women have a right to come forward and be heard and I encourage that fully,” the governor said “There is still the question of the truth. I did not do what has been alleged, period. I won’t speculate about people’s possible motives.”
But, he added, “there are often many motivations for making an allegation.”
“A lot of people allege a lot of things for a lot of reasons,” Cuomo said.
The defiant call comes a day after the governor’s fellow Democrats in the State Assembly announced an ”impeachment investigation” into his conduct.
Attorney General Letitia James’ office is already overseeing an independent review of the allegations. That probe is being led by former federal prosecutor Joon Kim and employment discrimination attorney Anne Clark.
Cuomo, his administration already embroiled in controversy amid questions about nursing home COVID deaths, which has led to a federal probe, urged New Yorkers to reserve judgment while the dueling reviews play out.
However, allies and critics alike appear to have run out of patience with the powerful politician as reports detail a toxic workplace under his leadership and more women come forward.
Mayor de Blasio, in his most blunt assessment of the situation yet, said he governor “should do the right thing and recognize that he just can’t do the job any longer.”
“He has lost the faith of his fellow leaders around the state, and I think he’s increasingly losing the faith of the people,” Hizzoner said at a press conference Friday. “He should do something that is decent, after these many indecent revelations. He should simply resign.”
