New York state Attorney General quits after allegations of physical abuse

New York state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman resigned on Monday after four women accused him of physically abusing them in an interview published by New Yorker magazine, leading to a call just a few hours later from Governor Andrew Cuomo for him to step down.

Schneiderman, who was running for a re-election, said: "In the last several hours, serious allegations, which I strongly contest, have been made against me. 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. I therefore resign my office, effective at the close of business on May 8, 2018."

According to the magazine, four women said Schneiderman had assaulted them with non-consensual physical violence after they had agreed to to have romantic relationships with him.

"In the privacy of intimate relationships, I have engaged in role-playing and other consensual sexual activity. I have not assaulted anyone. I have never engaged in non-consensual sex, which is a line I would not cross."

One of the accusers, Michelle Manning, said that between 2013 and 2015 she had been in a relationship with the attorney general, and that he had begun abusing her just weeks after their relationship became physical.

She also claimed he would often hit her and insult her and on one occasion threatened "to kill her if she left him".

Schneiderman had previously involved in the #MeToo movement against sexual misconduct from powerful men in media, politics and business.

Andrew M. Cuomo said: "My personal opinion is that, given the damning pattern of facts and corroboration laid out in the article, I do not believe it is possible for Eric Schneiderman to continue to serve as attorney general."

It is not clear who would succeed Schneiderman in the election next November.