Cuomo: Senior Staff Has Not Been Contacted By Feds Investigating Corruption
ALBANY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- New York state Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Wednesday that he has not been subpoenaed or contacted by federal investigators probing Albany corruption, and nor has his senior staff.
The Democratic governor's comments were in response to a reporter's question Wednesday. When pressed about others, he said reporters would have to ask his staff individually.
But Cuomo communications director Melissa DeRosa later added in a statement, ``In response to the earlier question as to whether or not any member of the executive chamber staff has been subpoenaed, we have checked and no employee of the executive chamber has."
Ex-Speaker Sheldon Silver pleaded not guilty Tuesday to federal charges that he exploited his power to reap $4 million in kickbacks.
U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said last month his office's "unfinished fight against public corruption continues," adding New Yorkers should "stay tuned."
Cuomo's administration hired a criminal defense attorney last summer after questions arose about whether a top aide pressured an anti-corruption commission not to investigate groups linked to Cuomo. Cuomo had abruptly disbanded the commission last spring.
The governor has insisted his administration did not meddle with the panel.
(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)