State agency probes Cuomo’s ethics violations in $5M book deal

Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo in New York City.

OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 2:15 PM PT – Thursday, August 26, 2021

Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo could possibly be forced to return profits from his $5 million book deal. On Wednesday, top officials on the Joint Commission on Public Ethics testified during a hearing as part of the probe into Cuomo’s memoir.

State regulators have been investigating allegations of Cuomo using government employees to help him produce the book during work hours. The panel considered whether major fines could be invoked for such behavior significant enough to match the big financial gain from the book.

Thank you to everyone who testified, my Senate colleagues, and everyone who tuned in.

I look forward to continuing to fight for sweeping ethics and oversight reform. New Yorkers deserve integrity and transparency from their government, and I intend to deliver on that promise.

— Alessandra Biaggi (@SenatorBiaggi) August 25, 2021

The state panel could vote to invoke such fines, but it would be faced with major legal challenges. Cuomo has continued to deny the allegations.

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