Harv law yer’s ‘well-timed’ Andy donation
A prominent law firm that formerly represented Harvey Weinstein handed over a $25,000 check to Gov. Cuomo’s campaign six days before the governor called off a probe into the handling of sexual-misconduct allegations against the disgraced movie mogul, public records show.
The hefty contribution from Manhattan firm Boies Schiller & Flexner came on June 20, according to records on the state Board of Elections Web site.
Less than a week later, Cuomo called for a sixmonth halt of state Attorney General Barbara Underwood’s investigation into Manhattan DA Cyrus Vance Jr. for deciding not to prosecute Weinstein in a 2015 groping incident.
The temporary suspension was ordered to avoid interfering with Weinstein’s ongoing criminal case.
Weinstein was previously represented by David Boies — whose firm was caught in a conflict-of-interest debacle after The New Yorker published its bombshell report on the sexual-assault allegations against the producer.
Boies’ firm had hired and paid private investigative companies to dig up dirt on Weinstein accusers — while at the same time represent- ing The New York Times, which also published a report on the allegations.
A spokesperson for Boies Schiller & Flexner — which also made $25,000 contributions to Cuomo’s campaign in 2017, 2015 and 2013 — defended the donations.
“Neither Mr. Boies, nor anyone from his firm, ever discussed Harvey Weinstein or Mr. Vance with Mr. Cuomo, or anyone from his office, at any time,” the spokesperson told the political Web site Capital and Main. “Mr. Boies is a longtime supporter of Mr. Cuomo and his contribution in June was consistent with his contributions to Mr. Cuomo over years past.”
Cuomo spokeswoman Dani Lever said the contributions were nothing out of the ordinary — and had no bearing on the Weinstein probe.
“As was reported, the firm donated $200,000 over the last 10 years, and that didn’t stop the governor from directing the investigation into the matter in the first place,” she said. “You can’t have it both ways. The only reason to temporarily postpone the AG’s investigation was to avoid interference with the ongoing criminal prosecution against Harvey Weinstein.”
Vance recently came under fire after it was revealed he received $55,000 in campaign contributions from Boies — including $10,000 after opting not to charge Weinstein.