But pols may ax her before Nov. ballot
The state Democratic and Republican parties will hold nominating conventions on May 23 and 24. They are not bound by whoever the Legislature might appoint.
While Schneiderman was expected to cruise to a third term, many insiders now expect there will be a Democratic primary in September.
The Senate GOP has so far said they will not participate in Heastie’s screening panel. Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan (R-Suffolk County) told The News on Wednesday that he’s in no hurry to fill the position.
“We have an acting attorney general in place,” Flanagan said. “Every obligation under the law is being fulfilled right now.”
While calling it a legislative prerogative, Gov. Cuomo Thursday said he, too, does not believe there is need for quick action, saying the best way to fill the post is through the upcoming elections.
“I never saw an urgency in getting someone in that office because Barbara Underwood and many of the staff are highly competent,” he said.
Underwood said the office will continue working on the cases already in the pipeline. But she said her short-time status won’t keep her from bringing new lawsuits against the Trump administration or anywhere else if they are deemed warranted.
“I can continue to pursue new things as they crop up,” she said. “The advice given to me a long time ago was correct: When you’re in an office, you’re in the office until you’re not and you do the work of the office.”
Any cases brought is the result of “extensive work and vetting” by the lawyers still in the AG’s office, with the attorney general having the final say, she said.
In addition to taking on the Trump administration, Underwood said she will take action on Gov. Cuomo’s call for her office to investigate the relationship between Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance Jr.’s office and the NYPD special victims division and how that impacted a probe into disgraced Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein that resulted in no charges despite the police’s believe they were warranted.
Underwood said she expects to soon name a special deputy from outside the office to handle the review.
“The role of the state attorney general has never been more important, I think, and I am honored to have the opportunity to help move it forward,” she said.