New York taxpayers cut disgraced ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo a check for over half a million dollars this week as reimbursement for his legal fees.
The Empire State paid Cuomo’s campaign $564,918 this week, according to campaign finance records first reported by Politico.
The state is required to cover the cost of legal expenses for current or former elected officials who ultimately aren’t convicted.
The influx from the reimbursement recharged Cuomo’s campaign war chest to a massive $7.8 million.
Cuomo hasn’t announced any formal bids for public office after his resignation as governor in mid-2021, though he has been toying with the idea of running for New York City mayor.
A poll funded by a group tied to former GOP mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa suggested Cuomo would be heavily favored in a matchup against Mayor Eric Adams.
Since leaving office, Cuomo has been a frequent flyer in New York courts.
In addition to bringing his own legal actions against the state’s ethics panel, the 66-year-old had to defend himself against a misdemeanor forcible touching charge brought by the Albany County Sheriff and lawsuits from his accusers, Brittany Commisso and Charlotte Bennett. The charge was ultimately dismissed, entitling Cuomo to reimbursement for his legal expenses.
The reimbursements could add up to millions of dollars.
Cuomo spokesperson Rich Azzopardi blamed Attorney General Letitia James, whose report accused the former governor of sexual misconduct, leading to his resignation.
“She produced a sham political report and a failed campaign for governor and it’s unfortunate that taxpayers are footing the bill for her abuse of power.”
Cuomo continues to deny the allegations.
The precedent for reimbursing ex-pols for their legal defense goes back to former GOP Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno, who won his defense against federal corruption charges in 2014. Despite Bruno having been out of office for six years, he still recouped $2.4 million from the taxpayers.
Other than the cash from the state, contributions to Cuomo’s campaign are still trickling in. He received just over $6,000 over the last reporting period, entirely from contributions of $250 or less.
