Some state senators want to block New York Paul, like the former governor. Andrew Cuomo has stopped spending any more tax dollars on legal fees when facing lawsuits during his tenure.
Local senators released a budget proposal last week and pushed by Sen. Mike Gianaris (D-Queens) that has allowed politicians like Cuomo and former state Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno to raise money. It included provisions to close loopholes. Millions of dollars in reimbursement for their legal costs.
“There is no scenario where someone’s campaign is reimbursed by taxpayers. [the politician is] I have to pay for my legal defense,” Gianaris told the Post on Monday.
Democrats said his bill has been floating around Albany for several years, but bringing it into state budget negotiations could move it forward.
“One of the reasons we put that in the budget was to start those discussions,” Gianaris said.
The issue has been raised numerous times in Albany since Bruno forced the state to collect more than $2.4 million after he was ultimately acquitted of bribery charges in 2014. He retired from the Senate about six years ago.
Most of the cash paid to Bruno went to his campaign account.
The same scenario is currently playing out for Mr. Cuomo, who still faces multiple lawsuits in state and federal court related to his handling of nursing homes during the pandemic and allegations of sexual harassment, all of which are fraudulent. denies any involvement. -I’m doing.
Earlier this year, the state began paying Cuomo’s legal fees, which could run into the millions of dollars.
Cuomo’s campaign received $564,918 from Empire State taxpayers late last year in legal fees, with more expected.
Gianaris said the precedent is wrong, no matter who the politician in question is.
“There’s no justification for anyone taking advantage of it,” Gianaris said.
