30 June 2021: Governor Cuomo Feasts at Dinner with Big Donors

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo Raises More Than $1 Million at First Fundraiser Since Investigations

Who wants to pay for play with scandal-plagued Governor Cuomo?

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo drew more than 150 guests to a $10,000-a-head campaign fundraiser Tuesday night, his first since the launch of state and federal investigations into sexual-harassment accusations against him and into his administration’s handling of the coronavirus at nursing homes.

Democratic Party officials, labor leaders, lobbyists and real-estate developers gathered at a space in Manhattan’s Rockefeller Center, where Mr. Cuomo didn’t mention the probes during his remarks but warned of the rising power of socialist Democrats, attendees said.

The soiree was expected to raise more than $1 million for Mr. Cuomo’s re-election campaign, a haul that will be reflected in a campaign disclosure report due in July, two people familiar with the event said. In January, Mr. Cuomo reported $16.8 million in his campaign war chest.

Some attendees described the fundraiser as a show of political force as the Democratic governor prepares to campaign for a possible run at a fourth term in 2022.

Spokespeople for Mr. Cuomo declined to comment and the governor didn’t answer questions from a reporter as he entered the event through a loading dock. The governor said last year that he planned to seek a fourth term.

Getting re-elected and remaining in power presents Governor Cuomo with the best possibility of avoiding criminal liability in his multiple scandals. Then again, how much power does one have when they have to avoid using the main entrances of buildings where they might be confronted by people seeking answers to questions Governor Cuomo does not want to risk having to answer?

This report covers events that occurred on 29 June 2021.