Fall of NY attorney general stunningly swift

NEW YORK — New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman resigned as the state’s top law enforcement officer on Tuesday amid an investigation of allegations by four women that he physically assaulted them.

The investigation caps a remarkably swift fall for Schneiderman, a high-profile Democrat who had been a public advocate for women but is accused of repeatedly slapping and choking women. Schneiderman denied the allegations, but three hours after they were published in a New Yorker article on Monday evening, he said he would leave office Tuesday.

The Manhattan and Long Island district attorney’s offices said they have opened investigations.

“These women should have their day in court,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. “They should have the opportunity to tell a district attorney the facts and circumstances and then let the district attorney Schneiderman or district attorneys make a decision as to whether they was any criminal liability.”

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said he was happy that Schneiderman resigned quickly. He said he hopes others who believe they were victims will contact police.

Two women, Michelle Manning Barish and Tanya Selvaratnam, told the New Yorker that Schneiderman had choked and slapped them, leading them to seek medical treatment. A third woman, who was not identified, made similar accusations of nonconsensual physical violence, while a fourth — who was not identified — told the magazine that when she rejected one of Schneiderman’s advances, he “slapped her across the face with such force that it left a mark that lingered the next day.” All four women said their physical abuse was not consensual.

Schneiderman denied the allegations. “In the privacy of intimate relationships, I have engaged in role-playing and other consensual sexual activity. I have not assaulted anyone. I have never engaged in nonconsensual sex, which is a line I would not cross.”

The allegations were particularly stunning, given Schneiderman’s track record of advocating for women, including pursuing a case against movie producer Harvey Weinstein, who has been accused of repeated sexual assaults and attacks on women.

Schneiderman, 63, was first elected attorney general in 2010 and was expected to easily win a third term in November without a challenger in the Democratic primary. He was widely believed to be preparing to eventually run for governor.

His temporary replacement is state Solicitor General Barbara Underwood. The state legislature will choose a permanent successor.