2 April 2021: NY State Ethics Watchdog Sitting Pretty for Governor Cuomo

New York ethics agency’s role in Cuomo allegations unclear

This article reveals that no one yet knows what role the Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE), the state of New York's official ethics watchdog, will have in evaluating Governor Cuomo and his administraton's multiple scandals. Worse, many think the agency has been captured by Cuomo loyalists through his appointments to it.

Top Democratic lawmakers have said the Joint Commission on Public Ethics, the state agency dedicated to ensuring the governor, lawmakers and candidates for office follow state ethics rules, does not have the political independence it needs to investigate allegations against the governor.

“No one believes JCOPE is an independent actor,” said Blair Horner, executive director of the New York Public Interest Research Group. “Its credibility has been so thoroughly damaged over the years that it doesn’t have the credibility that I think the public deserves.”...

The agency was created by legislation in 2011. From the get-go, critics have contended the commission is too secretive and that its politically appointed membership lacks independence.

The governor appoints six of its 14 members. And by law, undertaking an investigation into any governor would require a yes vote from two of his or her appointees.

Andrew Cuomo was sworn in as New York's Governor on 1 January 2011 after previously serving as the state's attorney general from 1 January 2007 through 31 December 2010. In addition to his direct appointments, Cuomo has had influence over others appointed to the purportedly independent commission by state legislative leaders.