Cuomo criticized for keeping COVID book profits during campaign

Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo faces pressure to return over $5 million he earned from his COVID-19 memoir. The call for repayment comes from City Comptroller Brad Lander, who is running against Cuomo in the Democratic primary for mayor of New York City. Lander criticized Cuomo for profiting from the pandemic. He claimed that Cuomo began writing the book just as the first COVID-19 deaths occurred. Lander accused Cuomo of prioritizing his own interests over the needs of New Yorkers. He made these remarks during a campaign event outside Random Penguin House, the book's publisher. In 2021, a state ethics panel ruled that Cuomo violated rules by using state resources and staff to help write his memoir. A report indicated that his staff assisted in researching and drafting the book while on the clock, which Cuomo has denied. Despite legal pushback from Cuomo, a judge ruled that the investigation could continue. Cuomo's spokesperson, Rich Azzopardi, responded to Lander's comments, saying the staff involved worked voluntarily on their own time. He also labeled Lander's criticisms as misleading and suggested that voters were more concerned about safety and economic issues than Cuomo's past. Lander challenged Cuomo to disclose how the book profits were used. He suggested that if Cuomo cannot return the money, it is not the concern of taxpayers. Azzopardi, however, defended Cuomo and dismissed Lander's remarks as publicity stunts.