January 1, Cuomo Ordered to Reliquinsh $5.1M in Pandemic Book Earnings

A state ethics board ordered former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) to return millions of dollars in earnings from his coronavirus pandemic memoir, allowing him 30 days to comply.

The remarkable directive is the latest development in the former governor’s fall from grace, who in the span of four months lost his job, reputation, and who is now facing a criminal trial for allegedly groping an aide.

In a 12-1 vote, New York’s Joint Commission on Public Ethics decided that Cuomo was not entitled to keep any profits from the book deal, which the board previously ruled had been obtained under false pretenses.

However, an attorney for Cuomo immediately said the action was unconstitutional and promised a legal fight.

“JCOPE’s actions today are unconstitutional, exceed its own authority and appear to be driven by political interests rather than the facts and the law,” Cuomo attorney Jim McGuire said.

“Should they seek to enforce this action, we’ll see them in court.”

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Andrew Cuomo ordered to return $5 million in earnings from COVID book