Common Cause/NY Statement in response to NYT – Cuomo’s Office Hobbled State Ethics Inquiries

    Media Contact
  • Susan Lerner

NEW YORK, NY (07/23/2014) — The Governor is answerable to the people of New York who should be deeply disturbed by the report’s well documented pattern of interference.

This report reveals the stark contradiction between the Governor’s public statements promising the independence of the commission and the behind-the-scenes actions of his staff. In an open society the rules apply to everyone, especially those entrusted to public service.

The details outlined in the New York Times are a shocking rebuke to the principles of our democracy. Instead of restoring the public’s faith in government, the circumstances surrounding the Moreland Commission to Investigate Public Corruption confirms the public’s cynicism and distrust of government.

It is now up to the Governor to restore the voters’ trust with actions, not ads. Enacting the full range of the Moreland Commission’s recommendations is the right place to start.