Former Governor Andrew Cuomo stepped down in August 2021 after a series of sexual‑harassment allegations surfaced and a formal impeachment inquiry was launched by the New York State Assembly. Here’s a concise timeline of the key events:
- Initial accusations (early 2021)
- Multiple women—former staffers, aides, and acquaintances—publicly alleged that Cuomo had made unwanted sexual advances, pressured them for personal favors, and created a hostile work environment.
- The most prominent allegation came from former aide Lynne Paterson, who claimed Cuomo asked her for a “sexually charged” massage and later threatened her job when she rebuffed him.
- Investigations begin
- The New York Attorney General’s Office opened a civil investigation into the claims.
- Simultaneously, the State Assembly formed an impeachment committee to examine whether Cuomo’s conduct violated state law or ethical standards.
- Findings and reports
- In July 2021, the Attorney General’s report concluded that Cuomo had engaged in a pattern of sexual harassment toward multiple women, describing the behavior as “unwanted, inappropriate, and harassing.”
- The Assembly’s impeachment committee voted 84‑17 to recommend impeachment on grounds of “misconduct in office” and “abuse of power.”
- Political fallout
- Several high‑profile Democrats, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and former Governor David Paterson, called for Cuomo’s resignation.
- On August 10 2021, Cuomo announced he would step down effective August 24, becoming the first New York governor in modern history to resign under such circumstances.
- Legal outcomes
- While the civil investigation confirmed harassment, no criminal charges—including any related to rape—were filed against Cuomo.
- Some of the accusers settled civil claims with the state, receiving undisclosed compensation, but the settlements did not include admissions of guilt.
In short, Cuomo’s resignation was driven by a substantiated pattern of sexual‑harassment misconduct uncovered through both civil and legislative investigations, not by any criminal conviction for rape. The episode sparked a broader conversation about workplace culture and accountability in politics.