The New York Times late Monday implored New York’s legislature to find some decent person to take over for disgraced Attorney General Eric Scheiderman, who will step down today after four women accused him of assault.
[Related: Eric Schneiderman resignation deals severe blow to climate camp]
“Whoever serves in this important office should be tough and independent, willing to stand up to Mr. Trump and [New York Gov. Andrew] Cuomo and — it should go without saying, but now it needs to be said — be a decent human being,” the Times’ editorial board wrote.
“Anyone involved in the effort to replace Mr. Schneiderman should remember: No one is above the law,” it added.
The editorial board said the “sickening” story of Schneiderman is just the latest example of rising-star Democrats falling to Earth. It noted similar trajectories of former Gov. Eliot Spitzer, who resigned after it was reported he hired high-priced call girls, and former Rep. Anthony Weiner, who was caught sexting a minor.
“Mr. Schneiderman joins a sorry list of once-rising stars in New York’s Democratic Party whose careers imploded amid allegations of personal misconduct,” the Times said. “As was the case with those men, the resignation of Mr. Schneiderman could have far-reaching consequences.”
Two women told the New Yorker that while in a relationship with Schneiderman, he choked and hit them, and that he also abused alcohol.
[Related: Kellyanne Conway: Assault allegations against New York attorney general are ‘harrowing’]
Schneiderman was a strong backer of the #MeToo movement, which led to bitter claims of hypocrisy Monday night.
Schneiderman rejected the charges against him, and said he has “not assaulted anyone.” But he resigned after saying the allegations against him would make it impossible for him to do his job.
