NEW YORK CITY—An investigation into allegations that Gov. Cuomo interfered with the efforts of the Moreland Commission has reached the real estate industry. The charges are particularly concerning because the Governor convened the commission himself in order to root out corruption in all pockets of state government. At the time of the Commission's formation, the Governor said, “Anything they want to look at, they can—including me.”
However, the Governor is now coming under fire for what the New York Times found were repeated efforts by his office to thwart the Commission's efforts. One such instance, an extensive Times investigation found, involved an examination of REBNY's ties to the Governor. The relation came under fire because REBNY members reportedly have been generous supporters of the administration.
A subpoena of the organization was prepared in order for the Commission to examine the organization's political donations, its materials related to a tax break for new housing, and its communications with public officials, including phone calls with lawmakers. REBNY members
However, the Times reveals—based on emails it obtained—the Commission's chief of investigations E. Danya Perry was repeatedly pressed to not issue the subpoena by the Commission's executive director, Regina Calcaterra. The latter executive was regularly tasked with communicating requests from the governor's office.
The commission backed Perry and she sent a message to the co-chairs that she would be sharing a subpoena with them “shortly.” At that point, the Times reports, the Governor's office stepped in.
Lawrence Schwartz, the secretary to the Governor and the most senior aide in the administration, phoned one of the commission's three leaders “in a fury,” telling them no subpoena would be issued.
Instead, REBNY received a letter asking it to provide information “voluntarily.” When contacted by GlobeSt.com, a REBNY spokesperson would only say, “REBNY cooperated with the Commission's investigation at all times and responded to the Commission's requests for information.”
It was unclear at press time if the Commission still requested all of the same information it was seeking in the subpoena. The Governor's office did not return GlobeSt.com's requests for comment at press time.
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Rayna Katz
Rayna Katz is a seasoned business journalist whose extensive experience includes coverage of the lodging sector, travel and the culinary space. She was most recently content director for a business-to-business publisher, overseeing four publications. While at Meeting News, a travel trade publication, she received a Best Reporting award for a story on meeting cancellations in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina.
