Schneiderman, speaking in Poughkeepsie in this
file photo, resigned Monday night
ALBANY – State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman resigned from
his office, effective the end of business on Tuesday just hours after
reports surfaced that he has assaulted four girlfriends.
His resignation came one hour after fellow Democrat, Governor Andrew Cuomo,
called on him to step down saying “No one is above the law, including
New York’s top legal officer.”
In his resignation statement, Schneiderman said he “strongly”
contests the allegations. “While these allegations are unrelated
to my professional conduct or the operations of the office, they will
effectively prevent me from leading the office’s work at this critical
time.”
Cuomo’s Democratic challenger, actress Cynthia Nixon, said the descriptions
of the abuse the accusing woman suffered at the hands of Schneiderman
“are sickening.” She said it is “the right decision”
for him to resign immediately.
Republican gubernatorial challenger, Dutchess County Executive Marcus
Molinaro, said Schneiderman is “completely and utterly compromised
and either unable or unwilling to perform his duties for fear of self-preservation.”
Molinaro said “Women should never have to fear powerful men. Women
should never have to fear the state’s highest lawyer using his power
to exact retribution.”
