Attorney General Eric Schneiderman is resigning from office after a bombshell report accused him of abusing women.
Four women came forward to “The New Yorker,” including two on the record, to say that Schneiderman was physically abusive towards them. It’s alleged that he slapped and even choked them, often after drinking.
"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,” Schneiderman said in a statement.
Schneiderman was a big supporter of the Me Too movement and even took legal action against Harvey Weinstein. One of his accusers, Michelle Manning Barish, noted Schneiderman’s “hypocrisy.”
Manning Barish said they dated for more than a year and she began to see signs of controlling and abusive behavior. One night in Schneiderman’s Upper West Side apartment, the Attorney General backed her onto the edge of the bed.
“All of a sudden, he just slapped me, open-handed and with great force, across the face, landing the blow directly onto my ear,” Manning Barish told The New Yorker.
A second accuser, Tanya Selvaratnam, also claimed that she was slapped by Schneiderman. She said they became stronger and harder as their relationship continued.
“It wasn’t consensual. This wasn’t sexual playacting. This was abusive, demeaning, threatening behavior,” she said.
In a statement issued before his resignation, Schneiderman said he’s engaged in role-playing and other consensual activity in the privacy of intimate relationships.
“I have not assaulted anyone. I have never engaged in non-consensual sex, which is a line I would not cross,” Schneiderman said.
His resignation takes effect later today and the Manhattan D.A.’s office is now investigation the report.
Governor Andrew Cuomo was among those pushing for Schneiderman to step down. He said no one is above the law.
“I do not believe it is possible for Eric Schneiderman to continue to serve as Attorney General, and for the good of the office, he should resign,” Cuomo said in a statement.
Source: The New Yorker
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