Governor Andrew Cuomo is denying a published report that his administration is attempting to oust State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver.
The New York Post says Cuomo is upset with the latest corruption scandals in the State Legislature. The Post quoted an unnamed official who said Silver "has been the master of gaming the corrupt system for 20 years." But in an appearance on the Capitol Pressroom today, Cuomo said the Post story is just not true.
“It is wholly up to the legislative bodies to select a leader. I would never even for a moment try to influence that decision," Cuomo said. "In this case I don’t see what the Speaker had to do with any of these purely personal, individual acts by two Assembly people.’’
You can hear the entire interview with Governor Cuomo Monday night at 8:00 on WBFO.
Last week, federal prosecutors filed corruption charges in two separate cases involving State Senator Malcolm Smith and Assembly Democrat Eric Stevenson.