GOV RIPS BLAZ OVER ATTACK LETTER BLUNDER

GOV. CUOMO’S spokeswoman tore into Mayor de Blasio Sunday over revelations that the mayor’s aides circulated a draft letter from nonexistent faith leaders attacking Cuomo for his involvement with NYCHA. “The mayor’s tactics unveiled in (Sunday’s) Daily News exclusive provides insight into his operation and his denial of involvement echoes Nixon’s denial in Watergate,” said Cuomo press secretary Dani Lever. “The attempt to attack the governor politically and use a group of faith leaders as a pawn is as cheap a trick as we have seen. The fact that they sent it to the News by accident is comical, but also emblematic of their ‘gang that couldn’t shoot straight’ operation.” City staffers appear to have drafted the missive to be signed by faith leaders to be named later, and it was unintentionally emailed to a Daily News reporter. NYCHA is the latest front for fighting between the rival mayor and governor, with Cuomo issuing an executive order declaring an emergency at NYCHA that de Blasio says will cost the city money without helping tenants. De Blasio had no involvement in drafting the letter, his spokesman said. “If he is being truthful, what sanctions will he levy against staff for this cheap trick? Will he release all the emails on the issue? We won’t hold our breath,” Lever said. She did not answer a question about whether Cuomo’s staffers have similarly ghost-written letters or Op-Eds on behalf of others. “The decades-long federal and state divestment from New York City public housing that put NYCHA residents in this position was presided over by HUD Secretary Cuomo, Attorney General Cuomo and Gov. Cuomo,” said de Blasio spokeswoman Olivia Lapeyrolerie. “We know the governor’s obsession with the mayor has sparked his recent interest in NYCHA, and we hope he actually delivers on his promises to tenants.”