![Albany DA declines to prosecute former Gov. Andrew Cuomo on forcible touching charge](https://cdn.cnn.com/cnnnext/dam/assets/211118223006-andrew-cuomo-file-031721-super-tease.jpg)
Albany DA declines to prosecute former Gov. Andrew Cuomo on forcible touching charge
CNN
The Albany district attorney will not prosecute former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on a misdemeanor sex crime charge of forcible touching after reviewing the evidence in the case despite finding the complainant "cooperative" and "credible."
"While many have an opinion regarding the allegations against the former Governor, the Albany County DA's Office is the only one who has a burden to prove the elements of a crime beyond a reasonable doubt," Albany County District Attorney David Soares said in a statement Tuesday. "While we found the complainant in this case cooperative and credible, after review of all the available evidence we have concluded that we cannot meet our burden at trial," he said.
The district attorney's office noted that the decision to discontinue criminal prosecution is unrelated "to any possible civil liability."