We don’t hear much about the embattled Empire State Governor, which is what he wants…..
Operative words?
‘Low Profile’….
Embattled New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, continuing an April tour of the state with another press-free press conference in Buffalo, got a vote of confidence Friday from one of the biggest names in tech: Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt.
Cuomo, who faces an impeachment inquiry and multiple investigations into allegations of misconduct, has been parading around the state in the days since he cut a deal with lawmakers on a state budget.
As the governor signed one of the budget bills Friday, Schmidt joined Cuomo to help tout an effort to expand broadband access — and give the Democrat a public boost of confidence.
“Governor, your leadership in general over this pandemic has been extraordinary,” Schmidt said.
As with other events in recent weeks, Cuomo was flanked by supporters who praised his handling of the Covid-19 crisis….
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Another closed press event: Cuomo stopped letting reporters attend these events in December, citing concern about the spread of Covid-19.
The Buffalo event was his fourth one this week. One closed press event held at an apple orchard on Tuesday was outside. On Wednesday, his schedule said the media was prohibited from an event at Belmont Park “due to COVID restrictions” — a few hours later, the governor announced that it is now safe for more than 20,000 spectators to attend races there….
image…Gov. Andrew Cuomo speaks during a news conference on Wednesday at a pop up Covid-19 vaccination site at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y | Mary Altaffer/AP Photo
Cuomo Update…
The New York state attorney general has received a referral to open an investigation into Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s (D) possible use of state resources for his recent pandemic memoir, allegations that come as the embattled state executive deals with multiple other scandals.
A spokesperson at New York State Attorney General Letitia James’s office confirmed to The Hill that she has received the referral but would not comment further, citing an ongoing investigation.
New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, in a letter to James dated April 13, pointed to allegations that “public resources may have been used in the development and promotion” of Cuomo’s book “American Crisis: Leadership Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic.”
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Cuomo Update…
Investigators seeking to determine whether the New York state Assembly should move to impeach Gov. Andrew Cuomo have received more than 200 tips about his conduct.
The chair of the chamber’s Judiciary Committee, Charles Lavine (D-Nassau), disclosed the figure as his committee held its first public meeting focused on impeachment in nearly a month. The tips were received via a hotline set up by Davis Polk, the law firm the Assembly retained to help conduct the investigation.
“In total, Davis Polk has spoken with attorneys for about 70 people who may have relevant information,” Lavine said. “And Davis Polk has also been in contact with four government agencies about potentially relevant information — document requests and interviews.”….
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Cuomo Update….
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo fiercely denied allegations of sexual harassment leveled at him over the past several months during his first in-person Q&A with press since late last year.
The governor was asked Monday about the multiple scandals and investigations that have enveloped his administration during an event at the Fairgrounds outside of Syracuse after he announced that the State Fair will reopen this summer at 50 percent capacity. Cuomo denied the allegations of several women who have accused him of behavior ranging from inappropriate comments to groping.
“To put it very simply ‘no,’” he said, when asked if the reports were true.
When asked if he would resign if a forthcoming investigation from state Attorney General Tish James’ office finds evidence otherwise, Cuomo said that would not be the case….
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Extra Bonus Quote of the Day
“I never said anything I believe is inappropriate… If I just made you feel uncomfortable, that is not harassment. That’s you feeling uncomfortable.”
— New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D), quoted by the Wall Street Journal.