JCOPE rescinds approval of Cuomo book deal
ALBANY, NY (WRGB) — The NYS Joint Commission on Public Ethics voted 12-1 Tuesday to rescind approval of former Governor Andrew Cuomo’s $5.1 million book deal. Governor Cuomo wrote the so-called pandemic memoir last year and assured JCOPE that no public resources were used. He says state employees who helped him were doing so as volunteers on their own time. JCOPE says it’s now clear that state property, resources and personnel were used in writing the book.
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JCOPE will now have to vote again on a new approval, and if it’s not granted, the commission could claw back some or all of the $5.1 million.
The New York Public Interest Research Group says that seems appropriate, and is also suggesting that lawmakers consider legislation that would force a politician who leaves office to return campaign funds. Cuomo has an estimated $18 million in his campaign war chest right now.
