Albany, NY – New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (KWOH’-moh) says allegations former confidant Joe Percoco solicited bribes are “reprehensible” and personally disappointing, given Percoco’s long ties to the Cuomo family.
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The Democratic governor addressed the scandal in a speech Friday in Buffalo. He says the arrests of Percoco, SUNY Polytechnic Institute President Alain Kaloyeros and six other men won’t slow efforts to revitalize the upstate economy.
Federal prosecutors say the charges stem from bribery and bid-rigging related to lucrative state contracts, including ones for upstate jobs initiatives launched by Cuomo called the Buffalo Billion and Nano.
Attorneys for Percoco and Kaloyeros say their clients are innocent.
Percoco’s state service dates back to the late Gov. Mario Cuomo. Andrew Cuomo says his father would have been heartbroken by the allegations.