Watchdog group files ethics complaint against Cuomo
ALBANY, N.Y. — Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s woes worsened Thursday as a national government watchdog group filed an ethics complaint against him, alleging his campaign illegally promoted his COVID-19-themed memoir.
Citizens for Responsibility in Washington, known as CREW, filed a complaint with the state Board of Elections seeking an “immediate investigation” into allegations that the governor violated election laws by including a link to purchase “American Crisis: Leadership Lessons from the Covid-19 Pandemic” in campaign emails.
“The law is clear that you cannot spend campaign funds for your own personal benefit,” CREW president Noah Bookbinder said in a statement. “The law only works when it applies to everyone, regardless of power or party.”
The complaint, which alleges Cuomo likely earned a “significant income” from book sales, also points to social media posts made by the campaign featuring links to buy the book.
Cuomo’s deepening troubles come in the wake of reports that the governor enlisted staffers to assist him with the tome as well as an early manuscript.
He allegedly involved senior aides including Secretary to the Governor Melissa DeRosa, who helped pitch and edit the book, according to The New York Times.
Cuomo officials contend that no state resources were used in connection with the book, which has seen sales plummet amid the multiple scandals engulfing the governor.
Calls for the state’s top Democrat to resign have swelled in recent weeks in the wake of multiple sexual harassment allegations, which are being probed by outside investigators working under New York Attorney General Letitia James.
The governor has denied claims that he sexually harassed or behaved inappropriately toward several women, including two current staffers.
The assembly has launched an impeachment investigation into the allegations and is also looking at the administration’s handling of COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes, among other issues.