Murphy calls on Cuomo to resign over sexual harassment claims

Gov. Phil Murphy joined the chorus of Democrats Tuesday urging Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York to resign over an investigation that found Cuomo broke federal and state laws and engaged in a pattern of sexual harassment targeting 11 women.

Murphy issued his call in a brief joint statement Tuesday night with Democratic Govs. Tom Wolf, of Pennsylvania, Ned Lamont, of Connecticut, and Dan McKee, of Rhode Island.

“We are appalled at the findings of the independent investigation by the New York attorney general,” the statement reads. “Governor Cuomo should resign from office.”

The New York attorney general, Letitia James, found in a damning report released Tuesday that Cuomo harassed multiple women, many of them young, by engaging in unwanted groping, kissing and hugging. Cuomo has denied the allegations, arguing that actions seen as sexually aggressive were really gestures of warmth and affection. In a video response to James’s report, he included a slideshow of photos of himself kissing celebrities, politicians and constituents.

While finding that Cuomo engaged in unlawful conduct, James’s report does not conclude whether Cuomo should be criminally prosecuted. Albany police have been notified of the most egregious allegations, the report says.

Murphy’s statement came hours after President Joe Biden said he, too, thinks Cuomo should resign.

Many but not all of the allegations in the report have been aired previously. It includes details about alleged harassment of at least three women that have never been reported before, including of a state trooper assigned as security for the three-term governor.

“I believe these women,” James said at a press conference Tuesday.