New York Attorney General Leticia James said on Tuesday that Governor Andrew Cuomo had "sexually harassed several women", including female employees, as he announced the results of an independent investigation into allegations against the powerful Democrat that led to calls for his immediate resignation.

This sensational report details allegations from 11 women that paint a "very disturbing but clear" picture of a pattern of abusive behavior by the governor and his senior staff, according to James, allegations Cuomo quickly denied.

James said, during a press conference, that the investigation, which lasted five months, "concluded that Governor Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed several women, in violation of federal and state law."

She added that the investigation also found that Cuomo "sexually harassed current and former female employees of the State of New York by touching them in an unwelcome and unconsensual manner and making comments of a sexual nature that created a hostile work environment for women."

She noted that the investigation also concluded that Cuomo and his team had taken retaliatory measures against at least one former employee after she filed a complaint in this regard.

At least eight women, former or current aides, claimed they were subjected to verbal harassment and inappropriate gestures from Cuomo, a Democratic governor who has been in office since 2011 and has been praised nationally for his handling of the COVID-19 crisis in New York in the onset of the pandemic.

Denial and refusal to resign

Immediately after the report was released, Cuomo issued a televised statement denying all these allegations.

"First, I want you to know directly from me that I have not touched anyone inappropriately, nor have I made inappropriate sexual comments," he said.

"I am 63 years old, I have lived my entire life in front of public opinion, this is simply not who I am, and this is not what I have ever been."

Cuomo said he had posted a response to every allegation the women made against him on his website, adding: "Please, take the time to read the facts and then make up your mind."

He indicated that resignation was out of the question.

But the report shows that investigators have not found Cuomo's explanations credible, saying that "the complete denial and lack of recollection of specific incidents contrasts starkly with the strength, specificity and consistency of the complainants' accounts."

For his part, US President Joe Biden called Cuomo to resign, saying from the White House, "I think he should resign."

Democratic officials also called for Cuomo to resign, and in March Congress said that if the allegations against Cuomo were proven, he would have to resign.

Elise Stefanik, a Republican lawmaker, was among the first to call on Cuomo to face the consequences of the report, writing on Twitter: "Governor Cuomo should resign and be arrested immediately."

Representatives in New York also reacted quickly, and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins ​​said, "It should be clear to everyone that he no longer has the right to be governor."