New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s top aide resigns amid sexual harassment scandal | Andrew Cuomo

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A top aide to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo resigned Sunday in the wake of the state’s attorney general’s report that the governor sexually harassed 11 women.

Melissa DeRosa, the governor’s secretary, is linked in the report to efforts to cover up the governor’s actions and retaliate against one of his accusers.

“Personally, the past two years have been emotionally and mentally trying. I am forever grateful for the opportunity to work with these talented colleagues on behalf of our state,” DeRosa said in a statement.

The report found Cuomo harassed, kissed or made suggestive comments about 11 women in violation of the law, prompting local prosecutors to launch a criminal investigation and redirect calls for him to resign or be impeached.

The report described DeRosa as a central figure in Cuomo’s office’s revenge against one of the women, Lindsey Boylan, after she became the first person to speak out.

DeRosa, who often defended Cuomo when he faced public criticism, has been with the administration since 2013. She was named “Governor’s Secretary” in 2017, and is perhaps the most famous face in the administration after Cuomo.

She appeared at his side at most of his news briefings and often answered policy questions from reporters.

Cuomo has so far resisted widespread calls for him to step down, including from fellow Democrats such as President Joe Biden, but he could soon face impeachment and removal from office by state lawmakers.

The Judiciary Committee of the New York State Assembly has scheduled a meeting to discuss impeachment proceedings for Monday at 9:30 a.m. EDT (1330 GMT).

Meanwhile, a former aide who filed a criminal complaint against Cuomo last week about accusations of harassment of her at the Executive Palace in Albany spoke publicly for the first time in a televised interview that will be broadcast on Monday, saying the governor “needs to be held ‘responsible’.”

Brittany Commisso, one of 11 women accused of sexual harassment, Brittany Commisso was identified in the report only as “Executive Assistant No. 1”.

She told state investigators that Cuomo once stroked her chest, the most serious allegation the governor has faced. She also said that he rubbed her butt while taking a picture.

Last week, she filed a criminal complaint with the Albany Mayor’s Office. Sheriff Craig Apple told reporters Saturday that his agency and the county attorney’s office will conduct a thorough investigation before determining whether a criminal charge is supported.

In an interview with CBS News and the Albany Times-Union scheduled to air Monday morning, Commisso said she submitted the report to hold Cuomo responsible for his actions.

“What he did to me was a crime,” she said in an excerpt released by CBS on Sunday. “He broke the law.”

Cuomo has denied wrongdoing, although he acknowledged that his efforts to be affectionate with the people he encounters may have made some people uncomfortable.

His attorney, Rita Glavin, told reporters Friday that Commisso’s account was false, citing emails and other documentary evidence that she said undermined her story.

In another excerpt published by CBS, Comiso said the occasional hugs and kisses on the cheek escalated when Cuomo quickly turned his head and kissed her on the lips.

However, Commisso said she “didn’t say anything” at the time.

People don’t understand that this is the governor of New York. There are soldiers outside the palace and there are some palace workers. Those soldiers who are there, they are not there to protect me. “They are there to protect him,” Commisso said.

With Reuters and Associated Press

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