Gov. Cuomo needed a card with talking points Wednesday to express how “shocked” and “sad” he was at the corruption conviction of his former top aide, Joseph Percoco.
In his first public appearance since a jury found Percoco guilty of taking $300,000 in bribes, the governor was seen holding notes that said “Personal sad SHOCK-FAMILY, 2 young daughters” and “Viol everyth ADM Believes, Not who we R.”
The Cuomo reminders were reminiscent of
with the families of the Florida school shooting massacre.
“I respect the verdict that the jury came up with. This is both sad and shocking news,” Cuomo told reporters in lower Manhattan.
“I was just shocked. I have had emotions over this for the past few years. I’m shocked about the behavior, I’m sad for his family — he has two young daughters.”
“The behavior violates everything that my administration is about. We strive for total integrity and this is a total aberration.”
Cuomo said he would push for ethics reform, including a ban or limits on outside income for public officials, including legislators.
But critics said that wasn’t the real issue.
“It’s the governor who is in the spotlight now, not the Legislature,” John Kaehny of Reinvent Albany said. “Is the governor serious about passing anti-corruption measures?”
