5 April 2022: Cuomo Book Deal Still Under Investigation Despite Suit, AG James Says

Cuomo’s $5M book deal still under investigation despite suit, AG James says

This report reveals the lack of progress that NY state attorney general Letitia James' office is making in probing Andrew M. Cuomo's $5.2 million pandemic "leadership" book deal is drawing attention. The following excerpt describes the main thrust of the report:

State Attorney General Letitia James’ office reaffirmed that it has an active criminal probe into whether Andrew Cuomo illegally used staffers in preparing his lucrative coronavirus pandemic memoir — just days after the disgraced ex-governor sued the government watchdog agency to keep the proceeds.

James launched a probe into the $5.1 million profit-making memoir last April after getting a referral from state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, who asked her to “investigate the alleged commission of any indictable offense or offenses” related to the book deal.

Her office issued a subpoena to the Joint Commission on Public Ethics last September requesting all records regarding the Cuomo book deal....

A lawyer for one of the witnesses — who requested anonymity — said the AG’s office informed him back in December that the book probe was “completed.”

If that last part is true, the obvious question is why is the state attorney general's office not moving forward on it?

We're not the only ones to whom that question has occurred.

“The conventional wisdom in Albany is she’s doing nothing and the investigation has stalled. But we don’t know,” said John Kaehny, executive director of Reinvent Albany.

“If this is an ongoing investigation it’s reasonable to say when it’s going to be closed and what’s the timeframe on this? Especially because she’s been criticized for this being politically motivated against Cuomo.”

Indeed. The leisurely pace of the AG's office in conducting its probe seems far from appropriate and demands explanation.