Faced with mounting legal pressures and growing demands for his departure from President Joe Biden and others, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo resigned yesterday following an inquiry that found he sexually harassed 11 women.

In a televised, 20-minute address, Cuomo (63) said his resignation would take effect in 14 days’ time, a startling downfall for a man once seen as a possible US presidential contender.

A Democrat who had served since 2011 as governor of the fourth most-populous US state, Cuomo made the announcement a week after New York Attorney General Letitia James released the results of a five-month independent investigation that concluded he had engaged in conduct that violated US and state laws.

Cuomo again denied any wrongdoing, although he said he accepted “full responsibility” for offending the women through what he characterised as ill-conceived attempts to be affectionate or humorous.

He said he had concluded that fighting the accusations while remaining in office would paralyse state government and cost taxpayers millions of dollars.

“I think, given the circumstances, the best way I can help now is if I step aside and let government get back to government,” he said.

The investigation, detailed in a 168-page report, found that Cuomo groped, kissed or made suggestive comments to women, including current and former government workers – one a state trooper – and retaliated against at least one woman who accused him of sexual misconduct.

Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, a Democrat from western New York, will take over as governor of the state of more than 19 million people until the end of Cuomo’s term in December 2022 as outlined in the state’s constitution, becoming the first woman to hold the post.

Cuomo’s resignation marks the second time in 13 years that a New York governor has stepped down in scandal, after Eliot Spitzer quit in 2008 over his patronage of prostitutes.

Cuomo also became the latest powerful man taken down in recent years following the rise of the #MeToo social movement against sexual abuse and harassment that has shaken politics, Hollywood, the business world and the workplace.

His resignation spared him from possible removal from office through impeachment proceedings in the Democratic-controlled state legislature, which appeared overwhelmingly likely as lawmakers abandoned him in droves.

Cuomo was elected to three terms as governor, as was his late father, Mario Cuomo. He previously served as US Department of Housing and Urban Development secretary from 1997 to 2001 under former president Bill Clinton.

Like his father, Andrew Cuomo never ran for president despite speculation about his possible ambitions.

He was hailed as a national leader last year early in the Covid-19 pandemic after delivering daily news conferences as his state became the US epicentre of the public health crisis.

The civil investigation found the actions of Cuomo and his senior advisers violated multiple laws, but Ms James did not pursue charges.

Mr Biden and other prominent Democrats, including House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, had lined up in calling on Cuomo to resign.