BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) - Governor Andrew Cuomo is stepping down. But not for two weeks. His resignation will be effective August 24.
That's leaving critics to wonder what he's planning to do between now and then.
Cuomo and incoming Governor Kathy Hochul have not spoken to each other since February, according to Hochul. "There are a few questions about whether he's planning to plant a few landmines on his way out," said ABC News correspondent Aaron Katersky. "But, if you take him at his word, he says he wants an orderly transition."
Katersky noting that Cuomo needs to get his life in order. He's lived in the executive mansion in Albany for ten years. He has no home to return to. His last private residence was in Westchester County at a home he shared with his ex-girlfriend, Sandra Lee, which she owned. Cuomo moved out in 2019, and Lee sold it in 2020. Cuomo's 89 year old mother lives in an apartment in
New York City.
Is it possible that the two weeks could buy Cuomo time to pardon himself? "Anything is possible with Andrew Cuomo," said Katersky. "Nobody knows how to maneuver the levers of power better." The longtime investigative correspondent noting it could be as simple as making it as easy as possible on himself, or it could be something a little more mischievous.
“I hope there’s nothing nefarious about the 14 days, but it strikes me as too long a period,” said former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Preet Bharara, who had been a thorn in the side of New York politicians during his time in office. “You don’t have to give two weeks notice to resign as governor," he said in a statement emailed to reporters.
Bharara, admitting it may be cynical on his part, said he was taken aback when Cuomo said the resignation would be effective in 14 days. "The Lieutenant Governor has been taking steps to be ready. I don't know why she couldn't take office tomorrow."
Erie County Democratic Party Chairman Jeremy Zellner thinks it is more of a practical matter. "The public officer's law, I think, allows you to resign within 30 days," he said. "I don't know why he's giving two weeks, but he is."
University of Buffalo Political Science professor Jacob Neiheisel admits the two weeks notice is a bit surprising. "There are pragmatic reasons to do so. To effectively package everything in such as way that the hand off
is a smooth one. That might sound strange given that the Lieutenant Governor is taking over as Governor. But", he said, "you have to remember that Hochul has been held at arm's length for the past year or so. We haven't seen much of her and she's had some measure of distance from the administration. It makes sense that he needs to tie up loose ends and get things ready for a new crop of people at the top level."
Does Neiheisel think Cuomo and Hochul will work together over the next two weeks? "Great question. I would hope so for the good of the state, but
the political reality is that she won't want pictures of herself and the governor with a timestamp."
We asked Neiheisel if Cuomo may be hanging on so that he can pardon himself? "It's a possibility, but the optics are pretty bad," he said. "The other
side of the coin is, what does he have to lose? If you pardon yourself preemptively, you're admitting guilt. But if you're really worried about
a criminal investigation, it might be an option to consider."
The Lieutenent Governor position in New York State is largely a symbolic one. It's not a policy making position. "The reality is, that it's been the Andrew Cuomo show for a long time," said Neiheisel. "And no one in state government had any illusions otherwise."