Andy: I talked to fed probers
ALBANY — Gov. Cuomo revealed Thursday he met with federal prosecutors about the corruption scandal that has rocked his administration, but said he does not believe he is a target.
Cuomo told reporters he was questioned by the feds several months ago in preparation for the case they brought against his former longtime aide and close friend Joseph Percoco and eight other associates.
The governor said he was not placed under oath for the questioning and that he did not sense he was a target. “It was about the case they were bringing, or have brought . . . after the charges were made public,” he said.
Shortly after, Cuomo Chief of Staff Melissa DeRosa released a statement saying that “as part of our continuing cooperation, the governor voluntarily made himself available and shared his knowledge of facts potentially relevant to the case.”
Cuomo’s office declined further comment, including where the meeting with the governor took place, “out of respect for the pending matter.”
Cuomo acknowledged to reporters he could be called as a witness during the trials, but quickly added, “I don’t envision it, and no one has suggested that.”
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara earlier this year accused nine Cuomo associates in a massive bid-rigging and fraud scheme tied to some of the governor’s signature upstate economic development programs.
Percoco is accused of accepting bribes from companies that had business before the state. His wife was given a “low-show” job from one of those companies. He pleaded not guilty.
Todd Howe, a lobbyist who once served as Cuomo’s deputy chief of staff when he was President Bill Clinton’s housing secretary, has already pleaded guilty to corruption charges and is cooperating with the feds.
Bharara has said “there are no allegations of any wrongdoing or misconduct by the governor, anywhere in this complaint.”