![]() The state reimbursed Bruno, an upstate Republican, for $2.4 million in legal fees that were originally paid for by his campaign.As she prepares to take the helm of New York, the fourth most populous U.S. That’s what happened after former state Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno’s acquittal in a fraud trial. But under state law, he could seek reimbursement from the state if he were to be acquitted on the grounds that the allegations had to do with his job. If Cuomo winds up facing criminal charges over a groping allegation made by a former aide, he would likely have to pay for his own defense lawyer. ![]() ![]() “If a private person sues him and it relates to his public office or his previous campaigns, then he can use campaign funds to pay lawyers,” veteran elections lawyer Jerry Goldfeder, former special counsel for public integrity to then-state Attorney General Cuomo, said. “Whatever he does in his next life, he needs to be able to pay those lawyers and direct them, and it’s going to be expensive and time-consuming,” Celli said.Ĭuomo could also potentially dip into his $18 million campaign war chest to pay legal costs, including a judgment. The attorney general’s office may play a role in deciding whether to cover Cuomo’s legal fees, said Andrew Celli, who was a civil rights bureau chief in the office under then-Attorney General Eliot Spitzer. If Cuomo or the state is sued over his alleged conduct, the public could wind up covering legal fees and any settlement - normally, individuals sued over their conduct as state employees are defended on the state’s dime.Ĭuomo, however, could also face individual liability if a court concludes he did something wrong.Īs governor, he signed a law that obligates state employees who commit sexual harassment on the job to reimburse the state for any judgments paid out because of their wrongdoing. “I believe if there is going to be any kind of appropriate conclusion to this, it has to be to make the victims of his misconduct whole,” Debra Katz, attorney for former Cuomo aide Bennett, said. Hochul, can decide whether the state will continue to pay lawyers to defend him and his administration going forward.Īn attorney for another accuser, Charlotte Bennett, who said Cuomo asked questions about her personal life that led her to believe he was pursuing a sexual relationship with her, suggested the state has an obligation to compensate the women to avoid “costly and lengthy” litigation. It doesn’t include the legal fees of Cuomo’s private attorney, Rita Glavin, whose bills are being paid by his campaign committee.Ĭuomo’s successor, Gov. ![]() That figure - which represents the maximum amount that could be spent, not actual bills submitted so far - includes up to $5 million for lawyers who have represented Cuomo’s office, up to $3.5 million for lawyers hired by the state attorney general to investigate sexual harassment allegations against the former governor, and at least $1 million in bills for lawyers hired by the Legislature as part of an impeachment investigation. The state has already agreed to pay up to $9.5 million to lawyers representing and investigating Cuomo and his administration over sexual harassment allegations and other matters, according to The Associated Press’ review of available contracts. Andrew Cuomo’s legal problems, and no matter what happens next, taxpayers are likely to wind up with a hefty bill. ALBANY - Resigning from office probably didn’t end former Gov. ![]()
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