The wheels of justice turn slowly, but for disgraced ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo, they continue to grind: On Tuesday, the Joint Commission on Public Ethics voted 12-1 to revoke the OK of his $5 million pandemic book deal because a) it was never properly granted and b) Cuomo clearly violated the terms.
As JCOPE noted, it’s now plain that Cuomo used state government staffers and resources on the book, despite the terms of the initial approval.
JCOPE commissioners also noted they never had the chance to review or vote on Cuomo’s book proposal: The ethical approval came only from a staffer.
This opens the door for the state to claw back the millions Cuomo was paid for “American Crisis: Leadership Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic” (which might be of some solace to those furious that his “leadership” likely caused unnecessary deaths in nursing homes).
Still investigating the book deal are state Attorney General Letitia James, the FBI, the Brooklyn US Attorney’s Office and the state Assembly Judiciary Committee. Issues include whether the then-gov’s hope of personal gain played a role in the state’s prolonged coverup of the true COVID nursing-home death toll.
In theory, the ex-gov can reapply for JCOPE’s approval. Good luck with that.
Of course, Team Cuomo is crying foul. “The governor cannot be held responsible for internal decisions over recusals and approvals made by JCOPE,” claims Cuomo spokesthug Rich Azzopardi. Except that he showed time and again that he effectively controlled the “independent” watchdog.
“They truly are a J-JOKE,” sneers Azzopardi. Yet the real joke here is Cuomo’s so-called leadership. It’s refreshing to watch the chickens come home to roost.