What's next for New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo? What we know right now

ALBANY, N.Y. - Will he stay or will he go?

As calls grow for Gov. Andrew Cuomo to resign amid a state Attorney General Office's report Tuesday that he sexually harassed at least nine female aides, the Democratic governor faces a critical juncture.

He can stick it out and fight off a looming impeachment if he doesn't resign voluntarily, or he can leave, bowing to the calls to do so from President Joe Biden all the way down to the majority of his Democratic colleagues in the Legislature.

Even neighboring governors said he should go.

“We are appalled at the findings of the independent investigation by the New York Attorney General. Governor Cuomo should resign from office," said a joint statement from Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont and Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee.

Read more: With impeachment possible, Gov. Andrew Cuomo has few allies in Albany after 40-year tenure

Here's where Cuomo's future stands and what could happen next

Did Andrew Cuomo kiss a trooper?

The Westchester County District Attorney's Office is investigating complaints of sexual harassments against Cuomo.

Westchester's connection to the attorney general's report involves a female state trooper, who described Cuomo's behavior toward her as generally “flirtatious” and “creepy," and that the governor kissed her and made a comment that made her uncomfortable, according to the report.

"Yesterday our office became aware of the final independent report from Attorney General Letitia James' office regarding Governor Andrew Cuomo's conduct," Westchester District Attorney Mimi Rocah said in a statement Wednesday. "As some of the Governor's conduct described in the report occurred in Westchester County, we have formally requested investigative materials obtained by the AG's Office. As this is an ongoing investigation, we will not comment further at this time."

The district attorney's offices in Albany and Manhattan are also making similar requests to James' office for investigative materials about incidents that took place in their jurisdictions.

More: Westchester DA Mimi Rocah investigates Cuomo; state trooper says he kissed her in New Castle

What do New Yorkers think?

Fifty-nine percent of New York adults think Gov. Andrew Cuomo should resign, according to a poll released Wednesday.

The Marist College poll painted a picture of Cuomo’s waning support among both Democrats and Republicans as details emerged about his conduct toward women in state agencies, including those working in his office and on his security detail.

Poll: 59% of New Yorkers believe Cuomo should go

Will Andrew Cuomo resign?

So far, he's shown no public signs of doing so.

In fact, he was defiant Tuesday — both in his 14-minute address and an 85-page rebuttal that he never inappropriately touched anyone.

He explained he simply makes jokes, sometimes bad ones, and often hugs and kisses people he greets.

"I am 63 years old. I have lived my entire adult life in public view. That is just not who I am, and that's not who I have ever been," he said of the allegations.

Impeachment: Assembly leader says governor can't remain in office

Who will take over if Cuomo resigns?

If Cuomo resigns, Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul would become the first female governor in New York history, serving out the remained of Cuomo's term through 2022.

The seat is on the ballot in November 2022.

More: Who is Kathy Hochul? She's next in line to be NY's governor amid calls for Cuomo to resign

What if Cuomo doesn't resign?

If he vows to stay and fight, that means the state Legislature would gird for an impeachment trial.

First, the state Assembly would draft articles of impeachment and then hold a vote.

If approved, then the Senate would hold an impeachment trial with the Assembly and Cuomo's team presenting their evidence to the senators and the seven-member Court of Appeals, the state's highest court.

If the impeachment vote there is successful, Cuomo would be out. If not, he would stay.

Will Cuomo be charged criminally?

Attorney General Letitia James made it clear her review was civil in nature, but it prosecutors could seek criminal charges if they choose.

In particular, Albany County District Attorney David Soares said Tuesday his office has opened a criminal investigation.

Much of the alleged conduct occurred in Albany, including an account in the report that Cuomo groped a female aide at the Executive Mansion by reaching “under her blouse and (grabbing) her breast."

NY Attorney General's report: Highlights of AG report against Cuomo: Here are the findings

How did Chris Cuomo react?

While CNN covered the report's release Tuesday, there was no mention of it on Chris Cuomo’s show last night.

Chris Cuomo, Andrew Cuomo’s brother, was interviewed by investigators because he did counsel his older brother when the scandal first broke earlier this year.

Chris Cuomo apologized on the air earlier this year for huddling with Andrew Cuomo and his aides. And he and CNN has said he would not cover his brother's travails.

More: Chris Cuomo was interviewed in probe of his brother, Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Here's why

How Cuomo's accusers responded?

Nine current or former state employees, as well as two women he met at events, came forward to tell their stories of inappropriate interactions with the governor: whether it was a lewd comment, groping or a string of harassing personal questions and comments.

"He sexually harassed me. I am not confused. It is not confusing. I am living in reality, and it's sad to see that he's not," former aide Charlotte Bennett said Tuesday night on CBS Evening News.

She testified and spoke publicly about how was subjected to unwanted comments and personal questions from Cuomo — who claimed he was simply trying to help her as a sexual-abuse victim.

More: Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed 11 women in violation of law, AG report finds

Joseph Spector is the Government and Politics Editor for the USA TODAY Network's Atlantic Group, overseeing coverage in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Delaware. He can be reached at JSPECTOR@Gannett.com or followed on Twitter: @GannettAlbany

This article originally appeared on New York State Team: Andrew Cuomo's future: What we know on fallout from AG's report