InsiderNJ turned to legal counsel Joe Hayden for is thoughts on New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s resignation announcement today.

“He’s doing his best to put a good face on a dire situation,” said Hayden, a veteran defense attorney. “His real problem is a potential criminal charge because at least one allegation, the allegation of groping, would almost certainly require a prosecutor to open an investigation if the victim presses the issue.

“He had nowhere else to go,” Hayden added. “He would have been subjected to death by a thousand cuts.”

Earlier today, the sexual misconduct-addled Cuomo announced that he is “stepping aside” from his office.

Cuomo called the impeachment investigation into him “politically motivated” — but added that he was stepping down because he would “never want to be unhelpful in any way.”

“I’m a New Yorker, born and bred. I’m a fighter and my instinct is to fight through this controversy because I truly believe it is politically motivated, I believe it is unfair and it is untruthful and I believe it demonizes behavior that is unsustainable for society,” he said. “New York tough means New York loving, and I love New York, and I love you. I would never want to be unhelpful in any way.”