New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said on Tuesday he will resign effective in fourteen days because of a sexual harassment scandal that has crippled his administration, saying he did not want to distract the state from important work to be done

Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul will replace Cuomo, and become the Empire State's first female governor.

Cuomo's resignation comes a week after a damning report issued by the state Attorney General's office found he had sexually harassed current and former staffers, along with a state police trooper assigned to his protective detail, and women outside of government.

It also comes as at least five district attorney's offices in countries around the state are investigating possible crimes by Cuomo against some of the women, or have requested evidence from the AG's report.

Cuomo, 63, said he was motivated to step down to avoid months of distraction for the state, which is continuing to deal with the Covid pandemic, from an all-but-certain impeachment of him over allegations he sexually harassed at least 11 women.

"Given the circumstances, the best way I can help now is if I step aside and let government get back to government," Cuomo said. "And therefore that is what I'll do, because I work for you, and doing the right thing, is doing the right thing for you."

While continuing to deny some of the more serious claims against him, Cuomo conceded he had offended some of his accusers with what he considered friendly or incidental physical contact and comments that were normal for men of his generation.

"In my mind, I have never crossed the line with anyone," he said. "But I didn't realize the extent to which the line has been redrawn."

"Thank you for letting me serve you. It has been the honor of a lifetime," Cuomo said.

"God bless you."

Hochul, a Buffalo Democrat who will turn 63 this month, in a tweet, said "I agree with Governor Cuomo's decision to step down. It is the right thing to do and in the best interest of New Yorkers."

"As someone who has served at all levels of government and is next in the line of succession, I am prepared to lead as New York State's 57th Governor," Hochul wrote.

In a CBS News interview that aired Monday, Cuomo executive assistant Brittany Commissioner described how the governor had groped her breast in one incident, and then rubbed her read end during another encounter in the Executive Mansion in Albany after he suggested they take a selfie photo together.

"What he did to me was a crime. He broke the law," the Commissioner said.

Cuomo's decision to quit follows called by a wave of fellow Democrats, including President Joe Biden and members of the state's congressional delegation — among them, Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand — and in New York's legislature either reiterated or made new calls that he step down.

On Sunday, Cuomo's top aide, Melissa DeRosa, who had been accused in the AG's report of being a key figure in an effort to smear one of the governor's most prominent accusers, resigned.

If na for 9ja he rather die on the seat or serve d jail term been on the seat if found guilt ... instead of resignation