ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — As impeachment investigators in the New York legislature and the attorney general's office take the lead in investigating allegations of power abuses and improprieties by Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo, it remains to be seen what role might be played by the state's ethics agency.
Top Democratic lawmakers have said the Joint Commission on Public Ethics, the state agency dedicated to ensuring the governor, lawmakers and candidates for office follow state ethics rules, does not have the political independence it needs to investigate allegations against the governor.
"No one believes JCOPE is an independent actor," said Blair Horner, executive director of the New York Public Interest Research Group. "Its credibility has been so thoroughly damaged over the years that it doesn't have the credibility that I think the public deserves."
Here is a look at the duties of state ethics investigators as more questions arise about sexual harassment accusations, state employees' role in a recent book by Cuomo, allegations of preferential access for COVID-19 testing for the governor's family last year, altering of the state's nursing home virus death count, and whether repairs on a state bridge were neglected:
WHY ARE SOME SKEPTICAL OF THE AGENCY'S INDEPENDENCE?
The agency was created by legislation in 2011. From the get-go, critics have contended the commission is too secretive and that its politically appointed membership lacks independence.
The governor appoints six of its 14 members. And by law, undertaking an investigation into any governor would require a yes vote from two of his or her appointees.
In 2019, the agency didn't open an investigation into former top Cuomo aide Joe Percoco's use of state resources. Percoco is currently in federal prison, convicted of accepting more than $300,000 from companies seeking to influence Cuomo's administration.
Lawmakers have proposed reforms including a constitutional amendment to replace the agency with an independent one largely appointed by judges and eliminating the rule that allows two of its members to veto an investigation or adverse finding.
COULD BOOK DEAL VIOLATE ETHICS LAWS?
An inquiry by the agency could reveal whether the governor's work on a recent book about leadership is in line with ethics laws, as his office argues it is.
"No one believes JCOPE is an independent actor," said Blair Horner, executive director of the New York Public Interest Research Group. "Its credibility has been so thoroughly damaged over the years that it doesn't have the credibility that I think the public deserves."
Here is a look at the duties of state ethics investigators as more questions arise about sexual harassment accusations, state employees' role in a recent book by Cuomo, allegations of preferential access for COVID-19 testing for the governor's family last year, altering of the state's nursing home virus death count, and whether repairs on a state bridge were neglected:
WHY ARE SOME SKEPTICAL OF THE AGENCY'S INDEPENDENCE?
The agency was created by legislation in 2011. From the get-go, critics have contended the commission is too secretive and that its politically appointed membership lacks independence.
The governor appoints six of its 14 members. And by law, undertaking an investigation into any governor would require a yes vote from two of his or her appointees.
In 2019, the agency didn't open an investigation into former top Cuomo aide Joe Percoco's use of state resources. Percoco is currently in federal prison, convicted of accepting more than $300,000 from companies seeking to influence Cuomo's administration.
Lawmakers have proposed reforms including a constitutional amendment to replace the agency with an independent one largely appointed by judges and eliminating the rule that allows two of its members to veto an investigation or adverse finding.
COULD BOOK DEAL VIOLATE ETHICS LAWS?
An inquiry by the agency could reveal whether the governor's work on a recent book about leadership is in line with ethics laws, as his office argues it is.
