NY solicitor general replaces Schneiderman as AG after abuse allegations

The state of New York has chosen a replacement for Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, who resigned abruptly on Monday over allegations of physical abuse. 

State solicitor Barbara Underwood will serve as the state’s acting attorney general until a permanent replacement is selected, according to the New York Daily News. 

In a statement announcing the replacement, attorney general press secretary Amy Spitalnick praised Underwood as one of the “best colleagues in the business” and hailed her record arguing cases before the Supreme Court.

“The work continues,” Spitalnick wrote. 

This morning, I’m grateful to work with the best colleagues in the business – including Barbara Underwood, who will be acting NY AG. She’s argued 20 cases before SCOTUS, clerked for Thurgood Marshall, & much more. The work continues.

— Amy Spitalnick (@amyspitalnick) May 8, 2018

{mosads}

Underwood in a statement promised the work at the attorney general’s office would continue “without interruption.”

Schneiderman resigned just four hours after a New Yorker report revealing allegations that Schneiderman physically abused and threatened multiple women. 

Top Democrats on Monday immediately called for Schneiderman to step down, including Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who said he would open “an immediate investigation” into the claims.

“In the last several hours, serious allegations, which I strongly contest, have been made against me,” Schneiderman said in a Monday statement. “While these allegations are unrelated to my professional conduct or the operations of the office, they will effectively prevent me from leading the office’s work at this critical time.”

Schneiderman said he had sexual relationships with multiple women, but emphasized that nonconsensual sex is a “line I would not cross.” 

The former attorney general was a vocal supporter of the “Me Too” movement, which has led to the ousting of prominent men in show business and politics for sexual misconduct or abuse of women.  

-Updated 12:30 p.m.