Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams issued the following statement after it was reported that New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli made a formal referral for, and Attorney General Letitia James opened, an investigation into Governor Andrew Cuomo's potential use of state resources to publish and promote his recent book.
"I am glad to see the Comptroller formally request, and the Attorney General open, an investigation into how Governor Cuomo could have used the trauma and the tax dollars of New Yorkers to publish his book and promote his image.
"As I've said in the past, I also urge the Comptroller and Attorney General to use their powers to pursue investigations into not only the Governor's book deal, but the actions he's taken in order to tell a better story - including covering up the true cost of his failure to protect nursing home residents. It is my hope that these investigations will reveal a more honest telling of the Governor's failures throughout the pandemic."