Gov. Andrew Cuomo, days after investigations were officially announced by the state attorney general and the Democratic-led state Assembly, said on Wednesday he will no longer comment about the sexual harassment allegations leveled against him by seven women.
“I’m going to respect the review and I won’t comment on it or related matters,” Cuomo said in a conference call with reporters when asked about several of the specific allegations raised by former aide Charlotte Bennett, who alleges he asked about her sex life.
Cuomo has previously denied touching anyone inappropriately and has insisted he will not resign. But the governor is facing calls from nearly every member of New York's congressional delegation that he step aside, as well as from dozens of Democratic lawmakers in the state Legislature.
Cuomo has also not previously shied away from commenting about the allegations in previous conference calls with the press after the investigations were launched. He has urged lawmakers not to bow to "cancel culture" in the calls for him to leave office before the conclusion of his third term next year.
Cuomo has also apologized for anyone who he has made to feel uncomfortable with attempts at jokes in the office, though has called one of his accusers a "political adversary."
President Joe Biden has stopped short of calling for Cuomo's resignation in an ABC News interview, but said the governor would have to step down if the investigation confirms the allegations and potentially face criminal charges.
“His words will speak for themselves," Cuomo said of the president's comments.
Cuomo in his conference call said he would continue to forge ahead with working out a state budget due at the end of the month and the ramping up vaccine eligibility in the state.
“We can either debate facts in the media or we can let the fact finders find the facts,” Cuomo said.
A Siena College poll, which found New York votes oppose his resignation 50% to 35%, was reflective of what he has heard from New Yorkers themselves, Cuomo added.