NEW YORK (AP) — After months of holding on to power, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo abruptly resigned Tuesday.
We take you through what happened and what's next:
REMIND ME — WHAT WAS HE ACCUSED OF?
Cuomo was under investigation for several things, but the prevailing issue leading to his resignation concerned sexual harassment allegations. An investigative report released last week said he sexually harassed 11 women, many of whom had worked for him or the state. Other issues in play in a state Assembly impeachment probe: how his administration handled data on COVID-19-related deaths in nursing homes, his $5 million pandemic leadership book deal and whether friends and relatives were given special access to COVID-19 tests early in the pandemic.
CUOMO SAID HE WASN'T GOING ANYWHERE. WHY DID HE RESIGN NOW?
Cuomo has denied the most serious allegations against him and acknowledged Tuesday that his "instinct is to fight." But he said the impeachment process would take months and consume resources that should go toward "managing COVID, guarding against the delta variant, reopening upstate, fighting gun violence and saving New York City."
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SO WHO'S IN CHARGE NOW?
Still Cuomo. His resignation won't take effect for two weeks. But Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul is on deck to take over afterward.
WHY IS HE WAITING 14 DAYS TO LEAVE?
Cuomo said he wanted time for a "seamless" transition to the new administration. He declared Hochul could be caught up to speed in a timely fashion.
IF HE LEAVES OFFICE, WILL HE BE SAFE FROM CHARGES?
Prosecutors in Albany, Westchester and on Long Island have already said their investigations into whether Cuomo committed any crimes will continue. Cuomo might be hoping that prosecutors or the women who complained about his behavior might lose interest in pursuing a case now that he's out of office.
DOES CUOMO HAVE REGRETS?
He "deeply, deeply" apologized to the "11 women who I truly offended." But he continued to deny the most serious allegations outlined in the report and again blamed the allegations as misunderstandings attributed to "generational and cultural differences." Last week, he personally apologized to two accusers — ex-aide Charlotte Bennett and a wedding guest he was photographed kissing, Anna Ruch. On Tuesday, he added the unnamed New York State Police trooper who said he inappropriately touched her to the list.
Kathy Hochul to be 1st female NY governor after Cuomo leaves
As New York's lieutenant governor, Kathy Hochul has spent years on the road as the friendly face of the administration, visiting the far-flung coffee shops and factory floors of each of the state's 62 counties for countless ribbon-cutting ceremonies and civic cheerleading events.
Now, with Gov. Andrew Cuomo's resignation over sexual harassment allegations Tuesday, her next stop is the state Capitol in Albany.
Hochul will become the state's first female governor once Cuomo's resignation is effective in two weeks.
"As someone who has served at all levels of government and is next in the line of succession, I am prepared to lead as New York State's 57th Governor," she said in a statement Tuesday.
Photos: Andrew Cuomo through the years
New York Mayor Edward I. Koch, left, Andrew Cuomo, the governor's son, shake hands at a news conference in New York, Oct. 30, 1988. Along with Gov. Mario Cuomo, they announced two transitional housing facilities with a total of 300 apartment units for the homeless will be built in the Bronx as part of the HELP program, which the younger Cuomo founded. At far right is Bronx borough president Fernando Ferrer.
Alice Basey, second from left, president of the National Alliance of HUD Tenants, discusses with Andrew Cuomo, secretary of Housing and Urban Development, the fate of hundreds of families in Dallas, who are on the brink of losing their apartments, Monday, Sept. 8, 1997. Joined by Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk and Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, Cuomo came to Dallas to announce $47.4 million in HUD assistance.
Housing and Urban Development Secretary Andrew Cuomo, left, gets ready for a pheasant hunt Sunday afternoon, Jan. 23, 2000 in Savannah. With him are New York assemblymen Dick Smith, center, of Buffalo, and Michael Bragman, right, of Cicero.
Andrew Cuomo, U.S. Housing and Urban Development secretary, speaks at the Faith Communities and Community Building conference Thursday, June 15, 2000, at Riverside Church in New York. Cuomo increased federal funding to $1 billion for churches, synagogues and mosques to provide housing and other social services.
Former Housing Secretary Andrew Cuomo, center, arrives at the Byram Hills Central School District Administrative Offices with his then-wife, Kerry Kennedy Cuomo, and their daughters, Cara, 6, left; Michaela, 3, second from left, and Mariah, right, Friday, June 22, 2001, in Armonk. Cuomo enrolled his twin daughters in the first grade in the Byram Hills public school after buying a home in Westchester County.
Andrew Cuomo, second from right, the former federal housing secretary and New York Democratic gubernatorial hopeful, is embraced by his old boss, former President Clinton, to the applause of Cuomo's running mate, Charlie King, left, at a news conference where Cuomo announced that he is abandoning his foundering for governor and will support his opponent state Comptroller H. Carl McCall, Tuesday Sept. 3, 2002, in New York. Clinton and Rep. Charles Rangel, one of McCall's biggest boosters, were on hand for the surprise announcement one week before the Sept. 10 Democratic primary.
Former Rep. Geraldine Ferraro, left, speaks during a news conference as Andrew Cuomo, right, looks on at City Hall Thursday May 4, 2006, in New York. Ferraro endorsed Cuomo in his run for New York State's attorney general.
Jeanine Pirro and Andrew Cuomo shake hands with each other before their first debate in the state attorney general's race at WABC-TV in New York Sunday, Oct. 15, 2006. Pirro called her opponent inexperienced, while Cuomo tried to portray himself as Eliot Spitzer's chosen successor.
New York Democratic attorney general candidate Andrew Cuomo, left, and Sen. Hillary Clinton celebrate their victories in the midterm election in New York, Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2006.
New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo speaks to the media as Gov. Eliot Spitzer looks on in the governor's New York office, Thursday, Nov. 8, 2007. The governor and attorney general announced key initiatives that their respective offices are taking to address the rising rate of home foreclosures and the sending of a joint letter to Congress calling for continued federal action to combat subprime lending practices.
New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo at a Law Day event in Albany on Friday, May 2, 2008.
New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo speaks in Albany, N.Y., Thursday, Dec. 11, 2008.
New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo and Sandra Lee attend the premiere of "Julie & Julia" at the Ziegfeld Theatre, in New York, on Thursday, July 30, 2009.
President Barack Obama greets New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, right, and New York Gov. David Paterson, second from right, before Obama speaks about the economy, Monday, Sept. 21, 2009, at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy.
Jimmy McMillan, candidate for Rent is 2 Damn High party, listens as Democratic candidate Andrew Cuomo speaks at the 2010 New York State gubernatorial debate held at Hoftstra University in Hempstead.
Former President Bill Clinton, left, and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Cuomo appear onstage together during a Get Out the Vote rally, Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2010, in New York. Clinton endorsed Coumo during the rally.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Cuomo, left, is introduced by Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., during a rally in New York, Monday, Nov. 1, 2010.
New York Gov.-elect Andrew Cuomo, center, gestures with his father, former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo, left, and his mother, Matilda, before giving his victory speech Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2010, in New York.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, left, is sworn in by Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman during a private ceremony at the Executive Mansion in Albany on Friday, Dec. 31, 2010. Cuomo's girlfriend Sandra Lee holds the Bible as his daughter Michaela Cuomo looks on.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo speaks during a swearing-in ceremony in the War Room at the Capitol in Albany on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2011.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, left, holds the Halas Trophy, while New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, center, holds the Vince Lombardi Trophy as New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, right, waves to the crowd during a ticker-tape parade celebrating the team's NFL football Super Bowl XLVI championship, Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012, in New York. The Giants beat the New England Patriots 21-17 on Sunday, Feb. 5, in Indianapolis.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo delivers his remarks during 10th anniversary ceremonies at the Sept. 11 memorial, Sunday Sept. 11, 2011, in New York.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo holds a Buffalo Bills football helmet that was presented to him by Lt. Gov. Robert Duffy in the Red Room at the Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013, in Albany. Cuomo was unable to attend a news conference in December announcing a 10-year lease extension between the state, Erie County and the Bills.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, left, greets New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio after his public inauguration ceremony at City Hall in New York, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2014.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, right, speaks as Vice President Joe Biden listens during a discussion on the state's rebuilding efforts following Superstorm Sandy in the Red Room at the Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2014, in Albany. The state received federal disaster funds for relief and rebuilding.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo arrives for his inaugural ceremony at One World Trade Center in New York, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015. At right is Sandra Lee, then-girlfriend of Cuomo. Cuomo kicked off his second term as governor with a pep talk, urging New Yorkers to lead by example through some of the nation's worst problems.
President Barack Obama, accompanied by first lady Michelle Obama, speaks with New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, after their arrival on Air Force One, Wednesday, May 14, 2014, at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo speaks to members of the media as then-partner Sandra Lee looks on after casting his ballot Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2014, in Mount Kisco.
Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, right, celebrates with Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul after defeating Republican challenger Rob Astorino, at Democratic election headquarters in New York, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2014. Cuomo is the first New York state Democratic governor since his father to win re-election in the nation's third largest state.
Vice President Joe Biden and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo laugh prior to speaking at a labor rally, Thursday, Sept. 10, 2015, in New York.
Former President Bill Clinton, left, and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York State's Electoral College vote for president in the Senate Chamber of the Capitol in Albany, Monday, Dec. 19, 2016.
In this Jan. 3, 2017, file photo, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, right, and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders appear onstage together during an event at LaGuardia Community College in New York. Cuomo had been mentioned on some lists as a possible presidential challenger in 2020.
In this Aug. 29, 2018, file photo, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo answers a question as his Democratic gubernatorial challenger, Cynthia Nixon, looks on during a debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo speaks to members of the media after meeting with President-elect Donald Trump at Trump Tower in New York, Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2017.
Attending a ceremony marking the 17th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the United States are, left to right: former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and his then-girlfriend, Sandra Lee, Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2018, in New York.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo meets a future voter before voting at the Presbyterian Church of Mount Kisco in Mount Kisco, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo arrives on stage after being reelected, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, in New York.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, center left, joins New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, center right, as they pose for a picture after signing a gun control bill at a ceremony in New York, Monday, Feb. 25, 2019. Cuomo signed a "red flag" bill, which attempts to prevent people who present a threat to themselves or others from purchasing or owning a gun.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo speaks during a news conference at the Jacob Javits Center that will house a temporary hospital in response to the Covid-19 outbreak, Tuesday, March 24, 2020, in New York.
Vice President Mike Pence, right, and President Donald Trump watch a video of New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo speaking during a coronavirus task force briefing at the White House, Sunday, April 19, 2020, in Washington.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo briefs the media during a coronavirus news conference at his office in New York City, Saturday, May 9, 2020.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo delivers his State of the State address virtually from the War Room at the State Capitol, Monday, Jan. 11, 2021, in Albany
