Governor Insists His Office Did not Compromise Ethics’ Commission Work

NY Governor Andrew Cuomo

BUFFALO – During his first public appearance since a revealing report by the New York Times, Governor Andrew Cuomo spoke about the Moreland Commission.

In July 2013, the governor praised the commission that was created under the Moreland Act. It was given the power to subpoena and examine witnesses under oath. Cuomo said he hoped the Moreland Commission’s reforms would restore the public’s trust in government. But during a three-month investigation, the Times discovered the governor’s office compromised the commission’s work. Cuomo apparently objected whenever the commission focused on groups or issues close to him.

Monday during an appearance in Buffalo, Cuomo stopped just short of refuting the Times’ article, but added that the Moreland Commission was a great success. He also said the Moreland Commission can still do independent investigations and he insisted he did not interfere with the its work. Instead, he said his staffers may have given advice to people on the Moreland Commission, but he and his staff did not interfere.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Rob Astorino says Gov. Cuomo is “tone deaf” to call the Moreland Commission a “phenomenal success.”