Melissa DeRosa, Secretary to the Governor, has resigned. Mary Altaffer/AP Photo New York Melissa DeRosa is the top Cuomo staffer.ALBANY Melissa DeRosa is the top staffer to Governor. Andrew Cuomo since 2017, has resigned.This is undoubtedly the biggest loss suffered by the Cuomo administration. It comes at the end a week in the governor was condemned by everyone, from the president to state legislators who now have enough votes to impeach him.DeRosa is widely considered Cuomos most trusted advisor and was given national fame last year when she sat next to him during the pandemic briefings.DeRosa stated that the past two years have been difficult for him personally. This statement was first made available to NY1 Sunday night. It was an honor to work with such dedicated and talented colleagues for the state.DeRosa was prominent in the Attorney General Tish James report that corroborates allegations of sexual misconduct against Cuomo.According to the report she coordinated a group consisting of former and current staff members in planning their defense. James called it retaliatory because Lindsey Boylan had first accused Cuomo sexual harassment in December. Multiple women testified she was part of the hierarchical culture in the executive chamber of bullying, fear, and retaliation that prevented them coming forward with their claims or believing that they would be taken seriously.Before the allegations of sexual harassment, she was involved in the first scandal Cuomo encountered earlier in the year regarding his handling of the pandemic at nursing homes. She claimed that Trump administration officials froze her administration when she thought they were probing their Covid-19 response. This led to accusations that she and her governor had obstructed justice.The 38-year old was first appointed communications director in 2013. He then became governors secretary in 2017. This is the most powerful and unelected position in state government.She was present at Cuomos briefing stages more than any state health commissioner during the New York pandemic. She was featured in publications such as The New York Times and ELLE, and was also photographed on the steps of the state Capitol for a glossy magazine.She is also the daughter a Bolton-St. Johns lobbyist and chief Albany lobbyist. She was a key player in Cuomos defense and one of few to be able to confront the governor about his actions.
