The Governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo, sexually harassed multiple state government employees, according to an external investigation.
Attorney General Letitia James said the investigation, conducted by two lawyers outside the administration, found the Cuomo administration was "rife with fear and intimidation.''
Ms James said: "The investigation found that Governor Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed current and former New York state employees by engaging in unwelcome and non-consensual touching and making numerous offensive comments of a suggestive, and sexual nature that created a hostile work environment for women."
The probe found Cuomo and his senior staff retaliated against a former employee who accused him of wrongdoing.
Cuomo also harassed several other women, according to Ms James.
Earlier this year Cuomo faced allegations he inappropriately touched and sexually harassed women who worked with him or at public events.
One aide said he touched her breast.
Another employee, Lindsey Boylan, said Cuomo kissed her and "would go out of his way to touch me on my lower back, arms and legs.''
There have already been demands on social media for Cuomo to resign following the publication of the investigation's conclusions.
Governor Cuomo, who has not commented in the wake of Ms James's statement, could stand for re-election in November 2022 but he is unlikely to do so now and may be forced into resigning in the next few days or weeks.
The Mayor of New York, Bill de Blasio, has already expressed an interest in running for Governor. He is due to step down as Mayor in November this year.
Governor Cuomo was praised in the early part of the pandemic for his handling of the crisis, which has claimed the lives of 54,000 people in the state.