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A government ethics watchdog accused Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s campaign on Thursday of illegally promoting his best-selling memoir – and possibly helping him line his pockets with “significant income.”
Non-partisan Citizens for Accountability in Washington have filed a complaint with the State Council of Elections calling for an “immediate investigation” into allegations that “Cuomo for New York converted campaign funds for personal use in violation of the electoral law.
The 16-page complaint includes a copy of an October 11 campaign email, signed by the three Cuomo girls, which includes a link to purchase “American Crisis: Leadership Lessons from the Covid-19 Pandemic.”
It also includes screenshots of several Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram posts in which Cuomo’s campaign touted the book, as well as built-in links to purchase copies.
Some of the posts feature screenshots of Cuomo appearing on Andy Cohen’s talk show as the host held a copy of the hardcover, which has a suggested retail price of $ 30.
Additionally, CREW says Cuomo’s campaign “made expenses potentially related to this activity,” including spending over $ 45,000 on wages for campaign workers and $ 7,400 on consultants at around the same time. .
“Cuomo for New York further paid $ 12,467 to NGP VPN, a provider of ‘targeted email services’ … and $ 378 to Mail Chimo for ‘explosive emails’,” the complaint states.
CREW notes that published reports said Cuomo received a “blockbuster” advance, with the top bid coming in at $ 4 million.
“While Governor Cuomo has said he is donating a portion of the profits to a COVID-related charity … it still seems likely that he made significant income from the book,” the complaint states.
CREW Chairman Noah Bookbinder, who signed the complaint, said in a prepared statement, “The law is clear that you cannot spend campaign funds for your own personal benefit.”
“The law only works when it applies to everyone, regardless of power or party,” Bookbinder added.
“Governor Cuomo has operated in many spheres as if the rules don’t apply to him. This seems to be another example, and it is an example that needs to be investigated. “
CREW, which was founded in 2003, has launched hundreds of lawsuits to enforce ethics rules, including a 2017 federal lawsuit that accused then-President Donald Trump of violating the Constitutional ban on accepting payments from foreign governments by refusing to put its many businesses in blind trust.
This lawsuit was dismissed by Manhattan Federal Judge George Daniels, but reinstated on appeal, then dismissed in January by the United States Supreme Court, which ruled it moot because Trump had been replaced in power. by President Biden.
Cuomo’s campaign did not immediately return a request for comment.
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