Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
Photograph by Lloyd Mitchell
Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo discovered Monday that town’s Marketing campaign Finance Board (CFB) would give his marketing campaign $1.5 million in public matching funds — however selected to withhold one other $622,000 over a brilliant PAC supporting his mayoral marketing campaign.
The CFB awarded the 2025 mayoral frontrunner Cuomo public matching funds on Might 12 after his marketing campaign resolved clerical errors that prevented him from incomes a payout final month. Nevertheless, the panel determined in the identical vote to withhold an extra $622,000 in matching funds that Cuomo would have acquired as a result of it had “reason to believe” there was “improper coordination” between his marketing campaign and a brilliant PAC supporting it, often known as “Fix the City.”
CFB member Richard Davis mentioned the quantity the board is withholding matches the sum Repair the Metropolis spent on a Might 4 advert as a result of the board believes the advert was not “independent of the campaign.”
“Expenditures made in coordination with a campaign are considered in-kind contributions that undercut New York City’s strict spending and contribution limits,” Davis mentioned in asserting the preliminary outcomes of the board’s ongoing investigation.
The Marketing campaign Finance Board determined in its Might 12, 2025 vote to withhold an extra $622,000 in matching funds that Cuomo would have acquired as a result of it had “reason to believe” there was “improper coordination” between his marketing campaign and a brilliant PAC supporting it, often known as “Fix the City.”Screenshot through YouTube
Cuomo, the previous governor who resigned in 2021 amid a number of sexual harassment allegations that he denies, acquired the $1.5 million in matching funds after the board declined to offer his marketing campaign with any matching funds final month in a blow to his bid. The board cited errors with no less than 20% of the paperwork Cuomo’s marketing campaign filed and never assembly the edge for eligible donations, which might be overlapping points, in its choice final month.
Cuomo marketing campaign ‘redboxing’ with PAC?
Davis mentioned the board believes that Cuomo’s marketing campaign might have violated metropolis marketing campaign finance guidelines by making “strategic information or data” publicly out there to entities it “knew or should have known” would put it to use—a observe often known as “redboxing.” In impact, meaning the board suspects Cuomo’s crew messaged Repair the Metropolis on easy methods to increase his marketing campaign in violation of CFB guidelines.
The Cuomo marketing campaign appeared to have interaction in redboxing when it launched a web page on its web site in late April titled “message for voters,” in keeping with reviews by Politico and the New York Occasions. The web page, which the marketing campaign has since taken down, included video clips of Cuomo that could possibly be positioned into advertisements, polling knowledge, and methods to message to particular communities, reviews point out.
Cuomo spokesperson Wealthy Azzopardi insisted in an announcement that the marketing campaign is in “full compliance” with marketing campaign finance legislation and guidelines.
“Everything on our website was reviewed and approved by our legal team in advance of publication,” Azzopardi mentioned. “We look forward to making that clear when we respond to the Board’s preliminary ruling and receiving the full matching funds to which the campaign is entitled.”
Azzopardi argued that different candidates for public workplace this cycle, together with Brooklyn Metropolis Council Member Justin Brannan, who’s working for comptroller, have engaged in comparable practices. He added that whereas the marketing campaign misplaced out on $622,000, it has now raised $3.5 million in non-public funds and secured $1.5 million in matching funds on Monday.
Myrie, in an announcement, claimed the board’s choice confirms that “Andrew Cuomo is for sale,” slamming Repair the Metropolis for elevating tens of millions of {dollars} from ultra-wealthy donors.
“While Donald Trump works to dismantle democracy on the national stage, Cuomo and his billionaire backers are trying to buy City Hall,” Myrie mentioned. “New Yorkers need a leader who defends democracy and fights for working people — not one who sells power to the highest bidder.”
