Cuomo's taxpayer-funded lawyers bankroll his mayoral campaign with fundraiser
Share and Follow

Attorneys who have received significant amounts of money from taxpayers for representing former Governor Andrew Cuomo and his colleagues in cases related to COVID and allegations of sexual misconduct are organizing an event to raise funds for his campaign to become mayor.

The bash will take place Thursday at the Manhattan office of Morvillo Abramowitz Grand Iason & Anello, according to an invitation obtained by The Post and first reported by New York Focus.

The law firm received $2.79 million for defending Cuomo and his staff in the executive chamber during probes into his administration’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Rita Glavin and Theresa Trzaskoma — who are representing Cuomo in sexual harassment cases — are listed as co-hosts, along with Joseph Belluck, a trial lawyer who is a State University of New York board trustee.

Glavin’s firm has been paid $5.68 million, while Trzaskoma’s firm, Sher Tremonte, has pocketed $6.4 million in taxpayer cash.

The solicitation was sent to members of the New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers, of which Belluck — who does not rep Cuomo — is vice president.

Contributors are asked to give from $250 to a maximum of $2,100.

Advocates with the #MeToo movement and Cuomo’s mayoral opponents slammed the fundraiser as outrageous.

“I don’t think New York taxpayers are going to be any more thrilled that their hard-earned money is going to Andrew Cuomo’s campaign,” said Erica Vladimer, co-founder of the Sexual Harassment Working Group established by former Albany legislative staffers.

“This adds insult to injury to the women who continue to be harassed and retaliated against with his lawfare defense tactics,” she said of Cuomo.

Karen Hinton, a former staffer who claimed Cuomo made unwanted sexual advances towards her in 2000 when he was the US Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, called the fundraiser “appalling.”

“It’s the recycling of funds from the taxpayers to the lawyers and back to Andrew Cuomo. It’s appalling. They have benefited enormously from having Andrew Cuomo as a client,” said Hinton.  

Cuomo has repeatedly denied harassing or abusing Hinton.

Brooklyn state Sen. Zellnor Myrie, a Cuomo rival in the Democratic primary for mayor, said, “Our taxpayer dollars should not be going towards Andrew Cuomo’s efforts to further harass women, lie about nursing home deaths, and then fund his political rehabilitation tour.

“It’s time to move forward as a city, not return to the problematic leaders of the past,” he said.

Dora Pekec, a spokeswoman for City Comptroller Brad Lander, who is also running for Gracie Mansion, said: “Andrew Cuomo sent tens of millions of our taxpayer dollars to these law firms to handle his personal scandals, and now he’s funneling the money back to him for his political campaign? Give me a break. New Yorkers can hardly wait for the day the Adams–Cuomo nightmare of corruption and chaos finally ends.” 

Cuomo campaign spokesman Richard Azzopardi dismissed the criticism.

He noted the contribution limits are a maximum $2100 per person and a modest $400 if a lawyer has business before the city, as in Trzaskoma’s case.

“They are among many New Yorkers from this and many other sectors supporting and helping the governor because they know he’s the one with the experience and record needed to help this city in crisis,” Azzopardi said.

He said of the Cuomo lawyers co-hosting the event, “They also saw first hand the injustice that was done — and frankly you can’t have a better validation than from the people who best know the facts.” 

Other law firms doing fundraisers for Cuomo include Greenberg Traurig, Paul Weiss, Sullivan and Cromwell, Fried Frank, a campaign source said.. 

New York taxpayers have coughed up a whopping $60 million in legal fees stemming from all scandals that ensnared Andrew Cuomo’s administration as governor, according to updated figures from the state comptroller.

Cuomo has denied wrongdoing.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Blue city street takeover suspects torched police cruiser in 'hell-bent' attack on cops: union chief

Governor of a Democratic State Commits to Strict Measures Against Street Takeovers Following Violent Assault on Law Enforcement

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey announced that authorities issued over 232 civil citations…
Evacuees detail harrowing scenes of flooding in Alaska villages as airlift continues

Alaska Villages Endure Devastating Floods: Firsthand Accounts and Ongoing Airlift Efforts

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) The ground beneath the house trembled as if an…
Kilauea volcano erupts on Hawaii's Big Island

Fiery Spectacle: Kilauea Volcano Eruption Captivates Hawaii’s Big Island

Internet Explorer 11 is no longer supported. To enjoy the best experience…
IDF holds memorial ceremony at base attacked by Hamas on Oct. 7 honoring fallen troops

IDF Honors Fallen Soldiers in Emotional Memorial at Site of Hamas Attack

On Thursday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) held a solemn ceremony at…
OceanGate Titan submersible damaged on multiple dives before catastrophic implosion, NTSB report finds

NTSB Report Reveals OceanGate Titan Submersible Sustained Damage Prior to Catastrophic Implosion

A sharp new report delving into the Titan submersible tragedy, which claimed…
Colorado driver walks away from dangerous 300-foot highway crash with minor injuries: 'A miracle'

Colorado Driver Survives 300-Foot Highway Plunge with Only Minor Injuries

A driver remarkably emerged with only minor injuries after their vehicle plummeted…
Jacksonville man pleads guilty to manslaughter in 2019 death of 19-year-old

Jacksonville Resident Admits to Manslaughter in 2019 Case Involving 19-Year-Old Victim

In a significant development in a long-standing case, Gary Legg has pleaded…
State of Taylor Swift's friendship with Blake Lively revealed

Unveiling the Current Status of Taylor Swift and Blake Lively’s Friendship

It appears that Taylor Swift has not been in touch with her…