Cuomo May Have To Pay Back Millions After Group Rescinds Book Approval

By Alyssa Wilson Published: November 17, 2021

Cuomo May Have To Pay Back Millions After Group Rescinds Book Approval

In this March 24, 2020 photo, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo speaks during a news conference against a backdrop of medical supplies at the Jacob Javits Center that will house a temporary hospital in response to the COVID-19 outbreak in New York. Amid an unprecedented public health crisis, the nation’s governors are trying to get what they need from the federal government – and fast. But often that means navigating the disorienting politics of dealing with President Donald Trump. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

In Summary

Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo may be paying back millions he made from his book on COVID-19 after an ethics committee reversed their initial approval of it.

First, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo was out of a job, but now he could be forced to pay back the profits he made from a million-dollar book deal.

An ethics panel in New York has rescinded its approval of a book deal they previously granted Cuomo. The Joint Commission on Public Ethics, also known as JCOPE, rejected their support in a 12-1 vote on Tuesday, ABC 7 NY reported.

According to the Associated Press, Cuomo was paid a $3.1 million advance to write “American Crisis: Leadership Lessons From the COVID-19 Pandemic” and was set to make another $2 million over the span of two years. The book was published by Crown Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House.

Through the first COVID-19 surge New York City was the epicenter of the outbreak, with about 203,000 confirmed cases in the first three months. Cuomo was praised by some for how he handled the state as the virus claimed the lives of more than 50,000 New Yorkers. Others criticized Cuomo after leaks revealed he intentionally understated the number of deaths that took place in nursing homes across the state.

The book received criticism for touting his performance as the COVID-19 crisis continued. Cuomo also received scrutiny over the alleged involvement of his staff members in the “drafting, editing, sale and promotion” of the book on government time, which led to an investigation from Attorney General Letitia James’ office.

Cuomo’s spokesperson Rich Azzopardi released the following statement:

These JCOPE members are acting outside the scope of their authority and are carrying the water of the politicians who appointed them. It is the height of hypocrisy for [Governor Kathy] Hochul and the legislature’s appointees to take this position, given that these elected officials routinely use their own staff for political and personal assistance on their own time. This is the 3rd time JCOPE has attempted to rescind their own approval, and this amounts to nothing more than Albany political corruption at its worst. JCOPE wants to rescind an approval that was relied upon to play a political game and that means a JCOPE opinion cannot be relied upon by anyone and is subject to political winds. Our counsel’s request to JCOPE was clear, sayng ‘no government resources’ would be used –consistent with that representation, people who volunteered on this project did so on their own time. Furthermore, the governor cannot be held responsible for internal decisions over recusals and approvals made by JCOPE. They truly are a J-JOKE.
Rich Azzopardi – Spokesperson for Andrew Cuomo

Cuomo can reapply for approval, but if denied, he will be required to pay back the millions he received to the book publisher. His attorney Jim McGuire said they plan to contest the rescinded approval in court. “Today’s action by JCOPE—following two prior failed attempts—is transparently political on its face,” he said. “We look forward to vigorously contesting in court any efforts JCOPE makes to enforce this baseless and improper decision.”

Cuomo resigned from office in August after multiple women went public with allegations against him, including forcible touching. During his resignation speech, he said the “most serious allegations” made against him had no “credible factual basis.” The scandal came to light after a report from the office of the Attorney General, who is now running for NY Governor, detailed Cuomo’s behavior.

The report said, “Specifically, we find that the Governor sexually harassed a number of current and former New York State employees by, among other things, engaging in unwelcome and nonconsensual touching, as well as making numerous offensive comments of a suggestive and sexual nature that created a hostile work environment for women.”

A former aide filed a criminal complaint against him in October. He is set to be arraigned in January.