Cuomo’s Belated Cleanup
Gov. Cuomo is belatedly promising reforms to state procurement processes — now that several of his close allies have been indicted on federal and state charges, including bribery and bid-rigging on facilities that SUNY nonprofits built in Albany, Buffalo and Syracuse.
Yes, once US Attorney Preet Bharara made it clear he’d found criminal wrongdoing in the Buffalo Billion, Cuomo brought in his own consultant to review it. And, at a cost to the taxpayers (so far) of $450,000, Bart Schwartz has identified extensive problems “with the approval, review and inspection processes” and held up $64 million in payments.
Here’s the thing: Cuomo’s last procurement “reform” opened the door to such abuses.
Five years ago, in the name of “streamlining,” Cuomo convinced state lawmakers to curtail Comptroller Tom DiNapoli’s oversight authority on contracts and spending by SUNY nonprofits, public hospitals and similar agencies.
In his zeal to think big and to get big projects — like the Buffalo Billion — done quickly, Cuomo put control and political capital in the hands of SUNY Polytechnic Institute leader Alain Kaloyeros and his string of SUNY nonprofits.
The indictment of Kaloyeros — along with two of Cuomo’s closest associates and several of the gov’s donors — must have stung the former cor- ruption fighter and notorious micromanager.
Cuomo took office vowing to clean up state government, but it seems he wound up burying not only his guns, but his head. Bid-rigging — the oldest crime in government — went on right under his nose.
Was the gov too busy feuding with other politicians to oversee his own signature projects? The governor’s now pushing a host of remedies, including a new legislative ethics package. But the obvious fix now is to restore the authority of the Comptroller’s Office over all SUNY contracts.
Indeed, bring all major state contracts and spending back on the books and in compliance with all oversight rules, including comptroller approval.
DiNapoli’s own anti-corruption efforts have led to more than 130 arrests and over $26 million in restitution since 2011. Operation Integrity (with Attorney General Eric Schneiderman) has brought dozens of convictions, including that of two former lawmakers and six Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty executives.
We’ve had our issues with DiNapoli — and even more with Schneiderman. But it’s plain someone needs to keep an eye on everything Cuomo’s rushing through in the name of “getting things done.”
By the way, governor: How about letting New Yorkers know how they’re going to pay for the new Tappan Zee Bridge before it’s finished?