Biden Says Andrew Cuomo Should Resign As Probe Finds He Sexually Harassed 11 Women

US President Joe Biden has called on New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo to step down amid a report of multiple allegations of sexual harassment. A damning report released on Tuesday by state Attorney General Letitia James concluded the month-long probe indicating that Cuomo sexually harassed 11 women.

In a press conference at the White House, Biden did not hesitate to answer reporters when asked if Cuomo should be removed from office. He said that he stood by his previous statement. "I think he should resign. I understand that the state legislature may decide to impeach. I don't know that for a fact," Biden replied.

Earlier in March, Biden had already said that he believed Cuomo should resign if the investigations backed up the allegations against him. Following Biden’s response, New York State House Speaker Carl Heastie announced that the chamber would quickly wrap up its impeachment inquiry on Cuomo.

According to CNBC, the 165-page report included interviews from 179 witnesses along with thousands of documents that were reviewed to confirm that the governor harassed current and former state employees as well as other women including a state trooper who was part of his security detail. A Department of Health doctor who administered a COVID-19 test on the governor while on live television last year, was also among the women.

The lengthy report also revealed that Cuomo’s office exuded fear and intimidation as most staffers considered his office to be a hostile environment.

Biden joins other Democratic lawmakers in Albany and Washington in asking for Cuomo’s resignation but the president’s statement now carries more weight in the New York governor’s fall from grace.

In a 14-minute address, a somber Cuomo remained defiant of the accusations and denied the claims stated in the report saying the misconduct allegations were merely mischaracterized or misinterpreted. "I want you to know directly from me that I never touched anyone inappropriately or made inappropriate sexual advances," Cuomo said.

The governor affirmed that he plans to stay in office and assured that a sexual harassment expert shall be brought in to design new policies and procedures and at the same time will have himself and his entire team subjected to a retraining.