A former Gov. Cuomo aide on trial for corruption claimed on Wednesday that a recent New York Post cover story will taint the jury pool.
Lawyers for Joe Percoco argued in Manhattan Federal Court that potential jurors should be questioned about whether they are following news coverage of state corruption — including the Post story on an FBI probe of his former boss’ hiring practices.
“The New York Post last Saturday had a front page reference to the governor on a subject that will be part of the evidence on this case,” Percoco’s attorney, Barry Bohrer, told Judge Valerie Caproni. “There it was, front and center, very much in the public eye.”
The story cited by Bohrer did not name Percoco, but reported allegations that Cuomo was hiding salaries by hiring people to work in his office and paying them through other state agencies.
The judge eventually permitted the questionnaire, but only after expressing her skepticism of how much the public really cares about Percoco.
“Whereas Sheldon Silver — a lot of people knew who he was,” Caprino said. “But he was a different player in New York City than these defendants.”
Percoco stands accused of participating in a widespread kickback scheme that allowed him to pocket $315,000 in bribes from two companies looking to do business with the state.