Ethics board says Cuomo must turn over $5 million from his pandemic book
Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) has been ordered to return the $5.1 million in proceeds from his book about the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Joint Commission on Public Ethics on Tuesday directed Cuomo to turn over the money to the state attorney general's office within 30 days, The New York Times reports.
The former governor, who resigned amid allegations of sexual harassment, released the book American Crisis: Leadership Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic in October 2020, and he has been accused of misusing state resources to write it. Last month, a report released by New York's Assembly Judiciary Committee found that he "utilized state resources and property, including work by executive chamber staff, to write, publish, and promote" the book. Cuomo has said that those who worked on the book did so on a volunteer basis.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The ethics panel previously rescinded the approval it gave to Cuomo over the book, according to The Associated Press, finding his special counsel made "material omissions and misrepresentations" about the book deal. According to The New York Times, Cuomo has already donated $500,000 in proceeds from the book to charity and placed $1 million in a trust for his daughters.
Cuomo's attorney in a statement slammed the board's move as "unconstitutional," alleging it was "driven by political interests rather than the facts and the law" and adding, "Should they seek to enforce this action, we'll see them in court."
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
The Icelandic women’s strike 50 years onIn The Spotlight The nation is ‘still no paradise’ for women, say campaigners
-
Mall World: why are people dreaming about a shopping centre?Under The Radar Thousands of strangers are dreaming about the same thing and no one sure why
-
Why scientists are attempting nuclear fusionThe Explainer Harnessing the reaction that powers the stars could offer a potentially unlimited source of carbon-free energy, and the race is hotting up
-
NY attorney general asks public for ICE raid footageSpeed Read Rep. Dan Goldman claims ICE wrongly detained four US citizens in the Canal Street raid and held them for a whole day without charges
-
Trump’s huge ballroom to replace razed East WingSpeed Read The White House’s east wing is being torn down amid ballroom construction
-
Trump expands boat strikes to Pacific, killing 5 moreSpeed Read The US military destroyed two more alleged drug smuggling boats in international waters
-
Trump demands millions from his administrationSpeed Read The president has requested $230 million in compensation from the Justice Department for previous federal investigations
-
Trump nominee in limbo after racist texts leakSpeed Read Paul Ingrassia lost Republican support following the exposure of past racist text messages
-
Trump begins East Wing demolition for ballroomspeed read The president’s new construction will cost $250 million
-
Appeals court clears Trump’s Portland troop deploymentSpeed Read A divided federal appeals court ruled that President Trump can send the National Guard to Portland
-
Millions turn out for anti-Trump ‘No Kings’ ralliesSpeed Read An estimated 7 million people participated, 2 million more than at the first ‘No Kings’ protest in June
