Local media and local elites here are totally in the Hillary camp, so there won't be much interest in pursuing it.
I think there's a high likelihood that there is a very juicy story behind this, and (undoubtedly) other similar scams that have been going on around the state under Cuomo.
The building was built by and is owned by COR Properties, which has been involved in a bribery scandal. Cuomo insiders were bribed.
Here's an excerpt from a local story, published in September of 2016.
Federal prosecutors have charged nine people in a probe of Gov. Andrew Cuomo's state development projects.Among those charged were two executives with a Fayetteville-based development company that has been awarded lucrative state contracts and is among the governor's top donors.
Here's what came to light Thursday:
U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara charged COR Development Co. executives Steven Aiello and Joseph Gerardi with bribing a former top Cuomo aide. They appeared in court today in Syracuse and were released on $100,000 bond.
Both Aiello and Gerardi were charged with five felonies, including charges of bribery and wire fraud conspiracy. Each faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted.
The charges outline multiple alleged examples of COR's illegal dealings with the state. Among those charges are:
- COR executives and state officials colluded to rig a bid for a major development contract to favor the developer. COR was the only developer to bid on the contract, worth $90 million.
- Joseph Percoco, a former Cuomo aide, solicited more than $300,000 from two companies in exchange for helping them with state business. COR made up $35,000 of that.
- Payments from COR were funneled through Todd Howe, a lobbyist. Howe is now cooperating with federal investigators, according to the Wall Street Journal.
- Aiello used his clout with officials to secure a pay raise for his son, who worked for Cuomo.
- Aiello and Gerardi lied to FBI agents about making payments to Percoco.
Several local officials have weighed in on the charges. Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney said she was "surprised" to hear the news. U.S. Rep. John Katko said he will return $10,000 he received in donations from COR executives.
Bharara said today that Cuomo is not under investigation at this time.