Lucas,
[This] New York Times article was a disturbing account of how Governor Cuomo's staff interfered with the allegedly independent work of the Moreland Commission – a panel he set up to pursue corruption and investigate abuses of public trust.
You can read below the statement issued by Citizens Union in which we called for the Governor to hold a news conference to address the way in which the Moreland Commission went about its work. We ask that he answer the many questions the New York Times article raises about his office's relationship with the commission.
He must also address whether there was any effort to prevent the commission from doing its job, which if true raises legal questions about authority given that the commission members were appointed and given power to act as deputy state attorney generals.
It is disconcerting to see Governor Cuomo – who pledged to restore trust in government and who has accomplished some desired reforms – now needing to answer questions about his own administration's conduct in fighting corruption.
Best,
Dick Dadey
Executive Director