ALBANY — Several companies run by big-time donors to Gov. Cuomo have won millions of dollars in state economic development grants since he took office, state records show.
At least seven companies that received a total of $15.25 million in grants from state Regional Economic Development Councils are linked to $1.25 million in donations to Cuomo’s campaign treasury since 2010, the records show.
One of those companies, Taylor Biomass LLC in Orange County, was awarded $1 million in 2013 to build a waste-to-energy facility.
Its president, James Taylor, gave Cuomo’s campaign more than $100,000 since 2010, including $34,000 this year, campaign finance records show. And the company and its affiliates gave Cuomo another $50,000, including $12,500 this year.
In another case, BFC Partners, of Brooklyn, won $3.5 million in 2013 to construct Empire Outlets, a planned development on Staten Island featuring 100 designer outlets and a posh hotel just steps from the ferry terminal.
BFC donated $25,000 to Cuomo’s campaign in 2014, the year following the grant. And three of the company’s partners, Donald Capoccia, Joseph Ferrara, and Brandon Baron, have ponied up a combined $81,500 since 2010.
Sheriff Andy Cuomo likes to make believe like he rode into Albany to clean up the corruption in the state capital.
Nothing like taking a bunch of money from donors, then handing them millions of dollars in state grants for cleaning up Albany, eh?
Kinda like taking money from REBNY, then handing out $35 million in tax breaks to the real estate industry.
Or taking a couple of million from overseas gambling consortia, then expanding legalized gambling around the state.
Or taking $800K from charter school operators, then forcing NYC to pay charter school rents in perpetuity.
Or taking hundreds of thousands from Hollywood producers, then handing out millions in tax breaks to the film industry that essentially pays them to make movies in NY.
Or shutting down his Committee To Save New York PAC so that he didn't have to reveal the donors.
Quite frankly, Sheriff Andy Cuomo needs his own sheriff to police his activity.
When will Cuomo have his own Rick Perry moment?
ReplyDeleteMight this be what is known as quid pro Cuomo?
ReplyDeleteGreat read - thanks for sharing. I've really enjoyed reading this. I've recently discovered the great work Tony Charalambides and the Listen Fundraising team are doing. You should check out his blog to find out more.
ReplyDelete