We will walk you through the events and show you what’s next.
REMIND ME — WHAT WAS CUOMO ACCUSED OFF?
Cuomo was being investigated for many things but sexual harassment allegations were the main reason he resigned. A report last week alleged that Cuomo sexually harassed 11 women who had previously worked for him and the state. Another issue in the state Assembly probe is how his administration handled COVID-19-related deaths at nursing homes, his $5million leadership book deal on pandemics and whether relatives and friends were allowed special access to COVID-19 testing early in the pandemic.
CUOMO SAID HE WOULD NOT BE GOING ANYWHERE. WHY WAS HE RETIRING 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.”
SO WHO’S THE GOVERNOR OF NEW YORK NOW?
Still Cuomo. Two weeks will pass before his resignation takes effect. But Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul will replace Cuomo.
HOW DO YOU PRONOUNCE “HOCHUL”?
Rhymes that rhyme with “local”
WHY DOES CUOMO TAKE 14 DAYS TO LEAVE
Cuomo stated that he would ensure a smooth transition to the new administration. Hochul could be brought up to speed quickly, he declared.
WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE NURSING HOMES INSURGE?
The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating how the state handled data regarding deaths at nursing homes during the coronavirus epidemic. A Cuomo’s office was concerned that the true numbers could be used against them by President Donald Trump’s government, according to an aide.
CUOMO CAN HEAL FROM CHARGES IF CUOMO LEAVES OFFICE?
Prosecutors in Albany, Westchester and on Long Island have already said their investigations into whether Cuomo committed any crimes will continue. Cuomo may be hoping that the prosecutors and women who have complained about Cuomo’s behavior will lose interest in following a case after he leaves office.
WHAT ABOUT CIVIL PENSIONS?
The women who have accused Cuomo could still file lawsuits, and at least one — Lindsey Boylan — has said she will.
CUOMO CAN STILL BE IMPEACHED
At this time, it is unclear if the state Assembly will continue the investigation and draft articles of impeachment after Cuomo’s departure. The process could take several weeks according to lawmakers, so it is unlikely that it will be completed in Cuomo’s final two weeks of office.
CUOMO HAS REGRETS
He said sorry “deeply, deeply” to the “11 women whom I truly offended”. But he also denied the most serious allegations and blamed “generational and culture differences” for the accusations.
CAN CUOMO RULE AGAIN?
Yes. He can still throw his hat into the ring for 2022. And although his donations dipped in the wake of the initial allegations, he had amassed an $18 million war chest as of mid-July. If he were to be impeached somehow, however, he could be barred from seeking statewide office again.
2022? IS THERE A NEXT YEAR’S ELECTION?
Yes. Cuomo would have been running for a fourth term in the next year. U.S. Democrats are yet to declare their candidacy for high-profile Democrats. Representative Lee Zeldin, Andrew Giuliani and Rudy Zeldin — yes, the sons of Rudy and another New York political scion called “Andrew”) — are among the Republican candidates.
WHAT CAN CUOMO DO ACTUALLY IN THE NEXT 2 WEEKS?
It’s unclear how engaged he’ll be in public policy in his final days, but the state is dealing with a soaring number of COVID-19 cases and has been struggling to get aid to tenants who fell behind on rent because of the pandemic.
CHRIS CUOMO WILL TALK TO YOU ABOUT THIS?
As Chris Cuomo is currently on vacation, we don’t expect him to make an appearance on his primetime CNN program, let alone comment. The younger Cuomo brother’s role advising the governor was detailed in last week’s report, and he didn’t comment on that, either. CNN finally sacked the anchor for covering his brother, the Cuomos were well-known for their fraternal banter on air during the initial days of the pandemic.
WHERE WILL CUOMO GO?
In 2019, he moved to Albany’s governor’s mansion. He previously lived with his ex-girlfriend, TV chef Sandra Lee, in the New York City suburbs. Lee owned that house. It remains to be seen where the now-single Cuomo — and his dog, Captain — will crash.
