Standing on stage of the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Governor Andrew Cuomo painted a picture of despair and disappointment as he described his feelings on the federal charges now facing nine, including his former top aide, Joe Percoco.
“I know this gentleman for over 25 years,” Cuomo said.
Cuomo insisted Percoco is where the alleged corruption stops. “I had no idea about anything that was contained in that complaint.”
Furthermore, Cuomo told 7 Eyewitness News Reporter, Ali Touhey he hasn't been subpoenaed.
ALI: Are you worried other staffers will be implicated?
CUOMO: No, I think the complaint spoke for itself.
Cuomo also said it doesn't taint the reputation of the Buffalo Billion. “The building is going up. The company is moving in. The jobs are being produced.”
Cuomo called the procurement system used by SUNYPolytechnic a "systematic issue" and is handing over control of the Buffalo Billion to Howard Zemsky and Empire State Development.
Still, if the three L.P. Ciminelli executives are convicted, Cuomo said the state will do everything it can to get back the taxpayer investment.
“Any wrongdoing dealing with state government will be punished, and we’re going to cooperate 100 percent with this U.S. attorney and to the extent that there was any wrongdoing, justice will be sure, and justice will be swift.
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