New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo had a press briefing to address allegations by three women who accused him of making unwanted advances and sexual harassment. Contessa Brewer joins 'The News with Shepard Smith' to report. For access to live and exclusive video from CNBC subscribe to CNBC PRO: https://cnb.cx/2NGeIvi New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday refused to resign, even as he said he was “sorry for whatever pain I caused” three women who allege that he sexually harassed them. An emotional Cuomo also asked the public to reserve judgment as New York Attorney General Letitia James oversees an investigation of the allegations by the women, two of whom previously worked as his aides. “I now understand that I acted in a way that made people feel uncomfortable,” the embattled Democrat said in his first public comments on the women’s allegations. “It was unintentional.” “And I truly and deeply apologize for it,” he said. “I feel awful about it.” “I certainly never ever meant to offend anyone or hurt anyone or cause anyone any pain,” Cuomo said. “That’s the last thing I would ever want to do.” Asked directly if he would quit in the middle of his third term, Cuomo said, “I’m not going to resign,” “I work for the people of New York,” he added. “I’m going to do the job the people of the state elected me to.” A lawyer for one of Cuomo’s accusers, former aide Charlotte Bennett, later said the news conference was “full of falsehoods and inaccurate information.” And another accuser, former Cuomo adviser Lindsey Boylan, tweeted, “How can New Yorkers trust you @NYGovCuomo to lead our state if you “don’t know” when you’ve been inappropriate with your own staff?” In addition to the sexual harassment scandal, Cuomo has been widely criticized in recent weeks for his administration’s cover-up of statistics related to Covid deaths in nursing homes, and for bullying state lawmakers and others. The governor said he will “fully cooperate” with the harassment investigation by a lawyer or lawyers whom James will appoint. Those lawyers will have subpoena power to compel witnesses, including Cuomo, to answer their questions. “I ask the people of New York to wait for the facts from the attorney general before forming an opinion,” Cuomo said. The 63-year-old governor was first accused last week by Boylan, 36, of kissing her without her consent, and of jokingly suggesting a game of “strip poker” aboard an official flight. Cuomo’s office strongly denied Boylan’s account at the time that it was published on Medium.com. Within days, the 25-year-old Bennett, told The New York Times that Cuomo last year asked her questions including whether she “had ever been with an older man,” whether she was monogamous in her relationships and other personal questions that made her feel uncomfortable. Bennett said it was clear that Cuomo was seeking a sexual relationship with her. On Monday, the Times published claims by another woman, Anna Ruch, who said that Cuomo, whom she did not know, put his hand on her bare lower back at a wedding. The governor then told her she seemed “aggressive” as he cupped her face with his hands, according to Ruch. Ruch, 33, who previously worked in the White House during the Obama administration, said Cuomo then asked if he could kiss her. A photo of an uncomfortable-looking Ruch with Cuomo holding her face accompanied that article. Bennett on Monday blasted Cuomo for what she called his “predatory behavior,” and asked that other women come forward if they had similar complaints about his conduct. Ruch’s account increased the number of people who have called on Cuomo to resign, among them Democratic Rep. Kathleen Rice of New York. On Wednesday, Cuomo first spoke to reporters about the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, and related developments in New York. He then pivoted to the sexual harassment scandal that has harried him since last week. » Subscribe to CNBC TV: https://cnb.cx/SubscribeCNBCtelevision » Subscribe to CNBC: https://cnb.cx/SubscribeCNBC » Subscribe to CNBC Classic: https://cnb.cx/SubscribeCNBCclassic Turn to CNBC TV for the latest stock market news and analysis. From market futures to live price updates CNBC is the leader in business news worldwide. The News with Shepard Smith is CNBC’s daily news podcast providing deep, non-partisan coverage and perspective on the day’s most important stories. Available to listen by 8:30pm ET / 5:30pm PT daily beginning September 30: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/09/29/the-news-with-shepard-smith-podcast.html?__source=youtube%7Cshepsmith%7Cpodcast Connect with CNBC News Online Get the latest news: http://www.cnbc.com/ Follow CNBC on LinkedIn: https://cnb.cx/LinkedInCNBC Follow CNBC News on Facebook: https://cnb.cx/LikeCNBC Follow CNBC News on Twitter: https://cnb.cx/FollowCNBC Follow CNBC News on Instagram: https://cnb.cx/InstagramCNBC https://www.cnbc.com/select/best-credit-cards/ #CNBC #CNBCTV