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Cuomo Is Set For Life Despite Resignation And Sexual Harassment Charges, Thanks To Taxpayers

By • August 12, 2021 4:00 pm

Democrat Andrew Cuomo may not be the governor of New York soon, but reports noted that his income will still be fine — thanks to his annual pension from taxpayers. 

Despite resigning from office on Tuesday amid a mounting sex scandal, the beleaguered Democrat will continue to receive $50,000 per  year in the form of a state-funded pension for the rest of his life, paid for by state taxpayers.

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Cuomo, who was slated to run for re-election in 2022, has served in the government for 15 years, including 11 years as governor and four years as attorney general.

“So if you’re wondering, without a felony conviction and several other steps, Cuomo would be eligible for his full pension, at taxpayer expense, for the rest of his life,” Tim Hoefer, president and CEO of the Empire Center for Public Policy said, according to the New York Post.

“The Empire Center crunched the numbers based on Cuomo’s annual pay and years of service and estimated he would be eligible for $4,222 a month in retirement income or $50,662 a year for the rest of his life,” it added, noting that “currently, a public official could have his or her pension reduced or revoked if convicted of a felony under the ‘Public Integrity Reform Act’ approved by Cuomo in 2011, his first year as governor.”

However, under an act approved by Cuomo himself, resignation does not invalidate the pension privilege.

A measure has been introduced in the State Assembly mandating the forfeiture of a pension in specific situations, but the said proposal would need a constitutional amendment, which is unlikely according to reports, with a Democrat-led legislature in New York.

“Two Democratic New York state legislators say they will introduce a bill that would strip Gov. Cuomo of state pension if impeached; would require voters to approve amendment,” said CNN’s Ana Cabrera.

Critics blast Cuomo over 50k pension

“The only reason I would support Cuomo getting a pension is if he donated it to the harassment victims or the nursing home families whose loved ones died from COVID because of his policies,” commented Tracey Alvino, whose father died from coronavirus while at a Long Island nursing home. “Otherwise New York should pass a law denying a pension to someone who resigns in disgrace for misconduct or is impeached.”

Aside from the pension, the embattled New York governor also cashed in on the COVID-19 virus and earned $5.12 million for his memoir on the pandemic.

The New York Post wrote: “Cuomo’s contract — which he got despite his administration being accused of sending COVID-positive patients back into nursing homes, potentially spreading the deadly virus among the vulnerable elderly there — paid him $3.12 million last year and he was left with a little more than $3 million after editing expenses, according to his tax returns.” 

“He’s also set to receive another $2 million this year and next, the returns show.”

Democratic strategist Max Burns commented: “There are two very good reasons for the NY Assembly to move forward with impeaching Governor Cuomo, even after he announced his plan to resign: conviction means Cuomo gets no NY State pension; conviction also bars Cuomo from running again.”

“When we talk about accountability for misconduct, we should talk about real accountability. As @Yuhline says, resignation is not a ‘get out of jail free’ card,” he added.

“You don’t get to dodge away from your bad behavior by leaving office, that’s not how it works.”

The Republican Party of New York also slammed Cuomo and insisted that the disgraced Democratic governor be barred from ever running office.

“Gropin’ Gov Cuomo can NOT receive a pension and must be barred from ever disgracing elected office again. Investigation and impeachment has to continue if we are to hold him and his cronies in Albany accountable. RT if you agree!” the New York GOP said.

The governor, who was hailed by the mainstream media during the pandemic for his handling of the crisis, is still under investigation for the over 14,000 deaths in nursing homes and his administration’s suspected attempts at a cover-up.

Meanwhile, following Cuomo’s resignation, Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, who is next in line of succession, said Cuomo was making the right move. Earlier, she called the governor’s conduct “repulsive” and “unlawful,” after a scathing report indicating that the governor sexually assaulted women in his workplace. 

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Steeve Strange

Steeve is the CEO & Co-Founder of The Scoop.
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