Now I have no sympathy for Cuomo. He ought to resign.
The problem here is that the two (2) individuals here (Hochul and James) are hardly disinterested parties. Hochul becomes Governor if Cuomo is forced out, while James likely wishes to be Governor herself. Hochul succeeding James precludes this. That, however, means that ANOTHER key statewide office (two of three if you consider that to be the Governorship and the two Senate seats to be the BiG prizes) go to non-NYC Democrats. NYC Democrats were NOT happy when the upstater Gillibrand succeeded HRC, and they certainly want one of their own to be Governor.
James, I am sure, would prefer to take Cuomo out, and defeat him in a primary without dealing with a Hochul succession. Bill DeBlasio and a number of others who would aspire to the Governorship from NYC would prefer that route as well. A quick resignation would put Hochul in a strong position in that she would be the first Female Governor of NY who hasn't done anything wrong. A long, drawn-out process of investigation, possible impeachment, and possible removal if impeached would hurt Hochul versus other Democrats, but it would also improve the chances of a Republican winning the Governorship.
Could a Republican be elected Governor of NY? Quite possibly, particularly if a Democratic Primary loser is the Working Families Party's nominee? Perhaps the Democrats could airlift a candidate in as they did in 2010 when Cuomo, himself, was airlifted to overcome the scandals of Eliot Spitzer and the incompetence of David Patterson. Perhaps the Republicans could nominate a high-profile Democrat who'd be willing to switch parties.
If I were a NY Democrat not interested in being Governor I would be hoping Cuomo would resign, and resign soon.
