Gov. Cuomo’s resignation announcement Tuesday was an abrupt about-face from the disgraced pol, whose lawyers had fiercely challenged the credibility of a state attorney general report that found he’d sexually harassed 11 women.
Here’s a timeline of key events leading up to the end of Cuomo’s reign in Albany.
Dec. 13, 2020 — Former aide Lindsey Boylan accuses Gov. Cuomo of sexual harassment in a series of tweets. Boylan, who is running for Manhattan borough president, wrote the governor “sexually harassed me for years,” adding “I know I’m not the only one.”
Dec. 14 — Cuomo denies Boylan’s accusations during a press briefing, telling reporters they “were simply not true.”
Jan. 28, 2021 — State Attorney General Letitia James releases a report accusing the New York state Health Department of undercounting nursing home deaths by as much as 50%.
Jan. 29 — Cuomo and health officials say they separated nursing home deaths from nursing home residents who died at hospitals over concerns about double counting, but insist the total number of deaths was always accurate.
Feb. 12 — Secretary to the Governor Melissa DeRosa comes under fire after telling legislators that the administration delayed responding to a request for nursing home data because they feared it would be “used against us” by then-President Donald Trump. State Assemblyman Ron Kim, who was on the call, says “you can’t hide information because you think you could be politically hurt in the process.”
Feb. 15 — Cuomo holds a press conference, taking responsibility for the “void” of information on nursing home deaths but insists there was no cover-up.
Feb. 24 — Former Cuomo staffer Karen Hinton says the governor bullied her. Boylan shares more details about her sexual harassment claims, saying Cuomo once said, “Let’s play strip poker,” on a flight in 2017 and kissed her on the lips at his New York City offices in 2018.
Feb. 27 — Former aide Charlotte Bennett comes forward with another sexual harassment claim against the governor. She says Cuomo asked her “numerous questions about her personal life, including whether she thought age made a difference in romantic relationships.
Feb. 28 — Cuomo agrees to Attorney General James’ demand for the power to appoint an independent investigator to look into the harassment allegations.
March 1 — Anna Ruch shares a sexual harassment allegation from a 2019 wedding. She said the governor touched her bare lower back, and she moved his hand away. She said he then placed his hands on her face and asked to kiss her. She said she pulled away, but not before he kissed her cheek. The encounter was captured in a photo.
March 3 — Cuomo publicly apologizes for making “people feel uncomfortable,” but insists he “never touched anyone inappropriately.”
March 4 — Bennett tells CBS Evening News she believes the governor was propositioning her for sex. He even asked her about being a sexual assault survivor.
March 5 — The state Legislature votes to strip Cuomo of his emergency powers.
March 6 — Former aide Ana Liss accuses the governor of inappropriate behavior, later describing a “toxic” work environment.
March 9 — An unnamed former aide claims the governor called her to the executive mansion under the pretense of helping him with a cellphone and then “reached under her blouse and began to fondle her.” Cuomo denies the report, saying, “I have never done anything like this.” He calls the details “gut-wrenching.”
March 11 — The governor’s lawyer refers the latest allegation to Albany Police, saying it’s state policy since the woman did not want to file charges.
March 12 — Several members of New York’s congressional delegation join calls for Cuomo to resign. He says their demands to resign without an outside investigation are “reckless and dangerous.”
March 13 — Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer release a joint statement condemning the governor’s alleged behavior and saying he should resign.
March 19 — Cuomo aide Alyssa McGrath accuses the governor of ogling her body, remarking on her looks and making suggestive comments to her and another woman in his office.
March 20 — Boylan speaks out publicly for the first time during a rally calling for Cuomo’s impeachment.
March 24 — New reports allege the governor prioritized COVID testing for his family and close allies when tests were hard to come by early in the pandemic.
March 29 — Sherry Vill, 55, comes forward claiming the governor kissed her without her consent in front of her family’s home in May 2017.
April 19 — State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli asks the attorney general to launch a potential criminal investigation into whether the governor used state resources to write and promote his book on leadership in the COVID pandemic.
May 17 — Cuomo’s office releases his 2020 tax returns, which show he stands to earn $5 million from the controversial memoir.
May 20 — The governor’s brother, CNN anchor Chris Cuomo, apologizes after The Washington Post reports he participated in calls about how to handle the scandal and encouraged his brother not to resign.
July 17 — Cuomo faces questioning from outside lawyers hired by the state attorney general’s office. The interview reportedly lasted 11 hours.
July 26 — Cuomo questions the integrity of the attorney general’s investigation. “I have concerns as to the independence of the reviewers. Is this all happening in a political system? Yes, that is undeniable,” he says.
August 3 — James announces the investigation found that Cuomo sexually harassed 11 women.
August 6 — James “ambushed” Cuomo and ran a biased investigation rooted in a “predetermined narrative,” the governor’s lawyers say.
August 8 — The governor’s top aide, Melissa DeRosa, announces she’s resigning. . The AG report detailed her aggressive efforts behind the scenes to suppress harassment allegations.
August 10 — Cuomo announces his resignation, says it will take effect in 14 days.
Aug. 24 — Cuomo’s last day in office.
