NEW YORK (WBEN) — Government watchdog groups are calling for an investigation into former Gov. Andrew Cuomo's alleged use of campaign funds, despite not currently holding office and having no plans to run for office.
Cuomo built up most of his $18 million campaign accounts in the hopes of running for a fourth term next year, but that was before his resignation last month amid a sexual harassment scandal.
"Having $18 million in the hands of a vindictive and angry Cuomo is really not good for New York," said John Kaehny, executive director of Reinvent Albany — one of several government watchdog groups writing a letter to the state Board of Elections following the news that Cuomo is suspect to still be tapping into his campaign war chest.
The groups allege Cuomo appears to be violating state election law by apparently dipping into the campaign account to employ his longtime spokesman Rich Azzopardi.
"The law says that campaign funds are supposed to be used for campaigns, not for personal use," Kaehny told WCBS 880's Steve Burns. "If campaign funds can be spent on things other than campaigns, than what's the difference between campaign contribution and a bribe?"
The letter reads in part: “News articles point out the former governor has no current plans to run for office and it is indisputable that he does not currently hold office. Therefore, under the express provisions of [the law], former Governor Cuomo cannot legally pay the salary of a spokesman out of his campaign funds.”
Azzopardi, in an email to the New York Post, said he's on board to answer media inquiries about Cuomo's time in office and his ongoing legal reviews, which he claims is allowed.
"There's something wrong with the law here if Cuomo is allowed to do this," Kaehny said. "I mean $18 million is a lot of mischief and this is a governor who knows how to raise hell."
If the Board of Elections fails to open an investigation Kaehny said, "Then it just underlines that the law and the people in the institutions that are enforcing the law are badly broken."