NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — Outgoing Gov. Andrew Cuomo decried the report that led to his resignation as a “political firecracker” in his farewell speech on Monday, while maintaining that the “truth” about the sexual harassment allegations lodged against him would be revealed.
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In a pre-taped video broadcast at noon on Monday, Cuomo paid tribute to New Yorkers, his family and his late father, former Gov. Mario Cuomo, but continued to argue that he was wrongly accused.
“When government politicizes allegations and the headlines condemn without facts, you undermine the justice system, and that doesn’t serve women, and it doesn’t serve men or society,” he said. “Of course everyone has a right to come forward, and we applaud their bravery and courage in doing so, but allegations must still be scrutinized and verified, whether made by a woman or a man."
“The attorney general’s report was designed to be a political firecracker on an explosive topic, and it worked. There was a political and media stampede,” he added. “But the truth will out in time. Of that I am confident.”
“A firecracker can start a stampede, but at one point, everyone looks around and says, ‘Why are we running?’” he went on to say. “The truth is ultimately always revealed.”
Later in his speech, Cuomo thanked New York state residents for doing "the right thing" throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
"I believe that for New York, the best is yet to be, because I believe you will make it so," he said. "In sum, we didn't get everything done that we wanted to, or even everything we should have done, and we didn't always get it quite right. But I want you to know, from the bottom of my heart, that every day, I worked my hardest."
"Thank you for the honor of serving as governor of New York. Thank you for allowing me to represent you. Thank you for empowering me to fight for you. Thank you for trusting me through COVID," he added. "And never forget, always stay 'New York Tough,' smart, united, disciplined and loving. It's the essence of what makes New Yorkers so special."
Cuomo, his longtime aide Melissa DeRosa said Monday morning, is not considering pursing public office in the future.
“Between HUD, AG & his time as governor, Andrew Cuomo has spent nearly 25 years in public service,” she said in a written statement. “And the way he does it, it’s 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.”
“He looks forward to spending time with his family and has a lot of fishing to catch up on,” she added. “He is exploring a number of options, but has no interest in running for office again.”
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