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New York state's top prosecutor, a public defender of the #MeToo movement and antagonist of Donald Trump, has become the latest public figure to resign over allegations of sexual misconduct.
Eric Schneiderman, a 63-year-old progressive Democrat serving a second elected term as state attorney general, resigned late Monday hours after being accused of physically assaulting four women.
It was a swift fall from power for the chief law enforcement official in the state, an outspoken Trump opponent whose office had launched multiple legal challenges against the Republican administration.
"Gotcha," tweeted White House counselor to the president, Kellyanne Conway, although there was no immediate response from Trump.
"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," he said.
"I therefore resign my office, effective at the close of business on May 8."
Two of the women spoke to The New Yorker on the record, alleging that Schneiderman repeatedly hit them, often after drinking, frequently in bed and never with their consent.
Both say they sought medical attention after having been slapped hard across the ear and face, and also choked, the magazine said.
- 'Brown slave' -
The article was co-written by Ronan Farrow, who last month shared the Pulitzer Prize for public service with The New York Times for reporting on the Harvey Weinstein scandal and sexual harassment.