ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - The Latest on corruption charges facing a former top aide to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (all times eastern):
4:45 p.m.
New York’s governor says he had “no idea” about the alleged bribery and bid-rigging that prompted criminal charges against a former top adviser, a university leader and six other people.
Democrat Andrew Cuomo (KWOH’-moh) said in Buffalo on Friday he found the allegations contained in a federal criminal complaint “breathtaking.”
Former top Cuomo aide Joe Percoco, SUNY Polytechnic Institute President Alain Kaloyeros and six others are charged with corruption relating to state economic development initiatives including the Buffalo Billion. Attorneys for Percoco and Kaloyeros say they’re innocent.
Federal prosecutors detailed the charges on Thursday and said there was no evidence of wrongdoing by the governor.
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3:15 p.m.
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.
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.
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.
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12 p.m.
A central figure charged in a New York state corruption case that’s shaken Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s administration has appeared in court for a preliminary hearing.
SUNY Polytechnic Institute President Alain Kaloyeros (kal-oh-YEHR’-ohs) was released on his own recognizance Friday. He didn’t enter a plea. His attorney says Kaloyeros is innocent.
Kaloyeros faces state and federal charges that he conspired with developers to ensure they won lucrative contracts.
He is a nanotech expert who led many of Cuomo’s efforts to attract high-tech jobs. He has a salary of more than $800,000 and is the state’s highest-paid employee.
Others arrested in the case include former top Cuomo aide Joe Percoco and executives at two development firms and an energy company. Percoco’s attorney says Percoco will be exonerated.
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