"This is about a storm briefing to save lives of New Yorkers," Cuomo lectured the Law Journal reporter who asked about potential retaliation against accuser Charlotte Bennett, a former Cuomo aide whose credibility was questioned last week by Cuomo's personal attorney. 

Cuomo continued, "If you think justice is to accept a complaint from a person, without investigation, and without credibility determinations, and without looking at past actions of a person, then you don’t know what the justice system is," he said, simultaneously attacking Bennett, the investigation against him led by state Attorney General Letitia James, and the reporter asking the question.

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.”