New York State Officials Order Andrew Cuomo To Return $5 Million Book Payment

A New York state ethics board on Tuesday ordered former Gov. Andrew Cuomo to turn over $5.1 million in profits from his coronavirus pandemic book, “American Crisis: Leadership Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic,” to the attorney general’s office.

The order comes a month after the Joint Commission on Public Ethics rescinded its approval of Cuomo after investigators found he had used staff and state resources to help him author the book, a violation of state law. Cuomo has 30 days to comply with the order or face forfeiture measures.

The book was released as Cuomo saw a spike in his approval ratings as he held daily pandemic-related press briefings.

The board voted 12-1 to authorize the state attorney general to seek the return of the proceeds from Cuomo’s book, which was a New York Times bestseller.

Cuomo’s attorney Jim McGuire blasted the decision as “unconstitutional,” adding that the ethics board exceeded its authority and was driven by political interests rather than the law.

“Should they seek to enforce this action, we’ll see them in court,” McGuire said.

Cuomo’s most recent tax return shows Crown Publishing Group paid him $3.1 million in 2020 and another $2.1 million in 2021.

Cuomo’s net income after taxes and personal expenses totaled $1.5 million. He donated $500,000 to United Way and put the remaining $1 million in a trust for his three daughters.

In August, Cuomo resigned after a dozen women came forward to accuse him of sexual harassment and after allegations that his staff attempted to smear some of his accusers. Cuomo also faces allegations that his administration withheld data on nursing home deaths from COVID-19.