Governor Cuomo Announces Resignation Amid Scandals

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has announced he is resigning following the release of a report concluding he had sexually harassed several women.

The 63-year-old Cuomo said his resignation as New York state's 56th governor would be effective in 14 days.

Cuomo said "I am a fighter and my instinct is to fight through this controversy." But he said if he remained, the matter would "generate months of political and legal controversy."

The governor acknowledged making mistakes but he said he has learned from them.

Cuomo said the transition to Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul "must be seamless." He described the lieutenant governor as "smart and competent" and said "she can get up to speed quickly."

The 62-year-old Hochul, who was born in Buffalo, will be the first woman to serve as governor of New York state.

The governor ended his resignation announcement by saying: "Thank you for the honor of serving you. It has been the honor of my lifetime."

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or (607) 772-8400 extension 233.

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