An Albany County Supreme Court judge has ruled the state’s newest independent ethics panel’s investigative and enforcement powers are unconstitutional, marking the latest wrinkle in a long-running court case involving former Governor Andrew Cuomo’s $5 million COVID-19 book deal.
In the Monday decision, state Supreme Court Judge Thomas Marcelle determined the New York State Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government’s (CELG) formation violates the state constitution because it was done without a constitutional amendment. Additionally, he said it “divests” Governor Kathy Hochul of her “authority.”
