Gov. Cuomo said that New Yorkers can still trust him after two former top aids were served subpoenas as part of a probe into potential conflicts of interest and improper bidding in a massive upstate nanotechnology initiative.
"I want people to have total confidence and trust in the integrity of this government," Cuomo said in New York City on Tuesday.
The Democratic leader's comments come after U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara's investigation was revealed last month when Cuomo's office confirmed the federal prosecutor was examining possible undisclosed conflicts of interest and improper bidding related to the Buffalo Billion initiative and Nano, the governor's effort to attract as many as 1,600 high-tech nanotechnology jobs.
In response, Cuomo announced hiring Bart Schwartz, formerly head of the U.S. attorney's criminal division in Manhattan, to lead an internal investigation and report any findings to Bharara's office.
A third investigation came to light when the Albany Times-Union reported that Attorney General Eric Schneiderman's office is investigating possible bid-rigging for a dormitory project on the campus of the SUNY Polytechnic Institute in Albany.
Three men -- former top aide Joe Percoco, lobbyist Todd Howe and SUNY Polytechnic CEO Alain Kalayeros -- have been linked to the probes. Lawyers for Percoco and Howe haven't responded to requests for comment, and SUNY Polytechnic has told the Wall Street Journal it is cooperating with investigators.
On Tuesday, Cuomo said that anyone who is found to have broken the law will face consequences.
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"We will have zero tolerance for any abuse," he said. "We will throw the book at anybody who does anything wrong."
