Andrew Cuomo’s top adviser, Melissa DeRosa, resigns amid possible impeachment of the governor

(CNN) – New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s top aide Melissa DeRosa resigned Sunday night, less than a week after the release of a state attorney general report that found Cuomo sexually harassed 11 women.

“It has been the greatest honor of my life serving the people of New York for the past 10 years. The resilience, strength and optimism of New Yorkers in their most difficult times have inspired me every day,” said DeRosa, Secretary of the governor. in a statement obtained by CNN.

What Cuomo Said About Sexual Harassment Before Accusations 2:30

“Personally, the last 2 years have been emotionally and mentally difficult. I will always be grateful for the opportunity to have worked with such talented and committed colleagues on behalf of our state,” she said in the message, which did not mention Cuomo.

DeRosa’s resignation comes on the eve of a state Assembly Judicial Committee meeting that could deliver a timeline for Cuomo’s potential impeachment. The 38-year-old woman, who held the highest-ranking designated position in the state, was featured in New York State Attorney General Letitia James’s Aug. 3 report in which investigators concluded that Cuomo sexually harassed. 11 women, including current and former state employees. The report detailed a “toxic” work environment under Cuomo and said that environment allowed his allegedly harassing behavior to be overlooked. It also highlights alleged cases of retaliation against at least one accusing person.

Cuomo has denied the allegations, saying last week that he “never touched anyone inappropriately or made inappropriate sexual advances.”

Melissa DeRosa, left, Secretary to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, listens as Cuomo speaks during his daily briefing in a conference room at the New York Stock Exchange on May 26, 2020.

In February, DeRosa came under scrutiny for its role in the administration’s underreporting of COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes last year.

In a private virtual conversation with lawmakers, DeRosa said the administration had not provided them with the requested information months earlier because Cuomo’s team was concerned about a preliminary Justice Department investigation of former President Donald Trump, according to a transcript of the conversation that she was later released by the governor’s office.

“And basically, we froze,” DeRosa told Democrats on the call, “because then we were in a position where we weren’t sure whether what we were going to give to the Justice Department or what we give to you, Guys, what we started saying was going to be used against us while we weren’t sure if there was going to be an investigation. “

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DeRosa accused Trump of turning the nursing home issue into a “political soccer ball” and then orchestrating “a political stunt” at the Justice Department to launch an investigation into New York and other Democratic-led states.

A different report from James’ office published in January found that New York had reported fewer COVID-19 deaths among nursing home residents by about 50%.