The architect of Cuomo's Buffalo Billion project is found guilty of a bid rigging ploy

Alain E. Kaloyeros, one of the chief architects of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo's economic development initiative, known as Buffalo Billion, was sentenced on Thursday in a treachery ploy. offers favored companies in Buffalo and Syracuse

. Kaloyeros, 62, was convicted of fraud and conspiracy during the fourth week of a federal trial in Manhattan that called for a careful review of Mr. Cuomo's ambitious plan to revitalize the north and the north. west of New York. The governor's political rivals to criticize what they say was a culture of corruption allowed by Mr. Cuomo

. Cuomo, who has not been accused by prosecutors of any wrongdoing, has repeatedly reiterated that he had "zero tolerance for any abuse of public trust".

Kaloyeros, the former president of the SUNY Polytechnic Institute, helped to create a high-tech industry in the capital region, which led Mr. Cuomo, a Democrat, to entrust him with responsibility for the Buffalo Billion project. The governor had praised Dr. Kaloyeros as a genius and "the secret weapon of New York."

But at trial, the prosecution presented evidence that Dr. Kaloyeros and Todd R. Howe, a former lobbyist linked to the Cuomo administration, conspired to defraud Fort Schuyler Management Corporation, a real estate company. SUNY Polytechnic, a non-profit organization, awarded lucrative contracts to LPCiminelli, a construction management company in Buffalo, and to COR Development, a Syracuse-area company

. Kaloyeros and Howe have adapted the RFPs, or RFPs, to the specific qualifications of the firms and ensure that they are selected by Fort Schuyler for the projects.

LPCiminelli, for example, was awarded a contract to build what became a $ 750 million solar panel plant along the Buffalo River, while the COR received contracts worth more than $ 100 million for other projects. When New York State entrusted Kaloyeros with the task of spending more than $ 1 billion in taxpayers' money to support the northeastern economy of New York State. York, he turned around and shared the key. in the vault with his friend Todd Howe and his clients, "a prosecutor, Matthew Podolsky, said in closing closing arguments on Monday.

Three of the corporate executives – Louis Ciminelli of LPCiminelli, and Steven Aiello and Joseph Gerardi, of COR – was also found guilty

Michael C. Miller, an attorney of Dr. Kaloyeros, denied in his summary that his client had rigged the buying process.

"Governor Cuomo knew what was wrong. 39 he did when he chose Alain Kaloyeros to take the reins of the Buffalo Billion project and make it a reality, "Miller told the jury.

" There was no pot , "he added." There were no trips. There were no fancy costumes. There was no love deal. There was nothing there. Alain Kaloyeros, from beginning to end, did his job. "

Judge Valerie E. Caproni sets man's sentencing dates for October.