Cuomo out in Albany

Resigned

In a televised address on Aug. 10, the day he announced his resignation, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he takes “full responsibility” for his actions, but he could not remember ever inappropriately touching anyone. The Democrat previously rejected calls to resign following the New York attorney general’s report alleging he sexually harassed 11 women, violating state and federal laws. In a news conference just before the announcement, Cuomo’s attorney, Rita Glavin, rejected most of the report’s allegations and criticized investigators for missing key facts and witnesses. The report cited interviews with 179 witnesses and reviews of more than 74,000 documents. Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, will take over the governor’s office. The State Assembly was investigating a series of scandals involving Cuomo, including accusations he covered up COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes

Died

Iconic Florida State University football coach Bobby Bowden died on Aug. 8 at age 91. Bowden led his team to national championships in 1993 and 1999 and was open about his Christian faith, earning the nickname Saint Bobby. Bowden said in conversations with his children, “There’s only one person who’s ever been perfect on this earth, and He ain’t your daddy.” Despite his success, Bowden remained a humble mainstay in the Tallahassee, Fla., community, even after retirement. He and his wife lived in a middle-class neighborhood, kept their landline phone number listed in the phone book, and welcomed visitors to their home in Bowden’s final weeks.

Sentenced

A Chinese court on Aug. 11 sentenced entrepreneur Michael Spavor to prison for 11 years on spying charges, a move critics say is part of Beijing’s “hostage politics” after Canada arrested Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou, who was wanted by the United States. The court also fined Spavor $7,700 and said he provided state secrets to Michael Kovrig, a former Canadian diplomat. Chinese authorities detained Spavor and Kovrig in 2018 days after Meng’s arrest. Canadian officials say Spavor’s trial “failed to meet basic standards” of fairness and defendants’ rights. The day before, a Chinese court upheld the death sentence of another Canadian citizen accused of smuggling drugs.

Charged

Former Washington, D.C., Archbishop Theodore McCarrick, 91, became the first U.S. cardinal to face criminal charges for alleged sexual abuse. Prosecutors say McCarrick sexually assaulted a teenage boy at a wedding reception in 1974. He denies the accusation, and his lawyer said they “look forward to addressing the case.” McCarrick faces three counts of indecent battery and assault. His alleged victim was a 16-year-old boy at the time and said McCarrick was a family friend. He claims the clergyman fondled him and ordered him to say “Our Fathers” and “Hail Marys” to atone for his sin afterward. Pope Francis defrocked McCarrick in 2019.