Andrew Cuomo Photo: AFP

Andrew Cuomo, who resigned as New York governor over sexual harassment allegations, was stripped Tuesday of the Emmy he won for his primetime pandemic briefings.

The one-time Democratic Party heavyweight won global plaudits for his straight-talking television performances about coronavirus as it raged though the US in early 2020.

His performances, which came as then-president Donald Trump sowed confusion about the health crisis, earned him the International Emmy Founders Award.

But on Tuesday, the day after Cuomo left the governor's mansion, the academy said it was taking back the gong.

"The International Academy announced today that in light of the New York attorney general's report, and Andrew Cuomo's subsequent resignation as governor, it is rescinding his special 2020 International Emmy Award," the organization said in a statement to AFP. 

Past recipients of the award include Oprah Winfrey, Stephen Spielberg and Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes.

Cuomo's confident performance at the beginning of the pandemic led to talk of a possible presidential run, as well as the emergence of dedicated band of fans, some of whom dubbed themselves "Cuomosexuals."

But his stock started to slide in late 2020 as he became engulfed in accusations that he covered up the true extent of COVID-19 deaths at nursing homes.

Several women then came forward in 2021 alleging that the 63-year-old had behaved inappropriately toward them. The accusations culminated in an explosive report by state Attorney General Letitia James released in August that said he sexually harassed 11 women, including by engaging in unwanted touching.

Cuomo strenuously denied the allegations and initially rejected calls to quit, including from President Joe Biden.

AFP