cuomo ethic committee book profits
© Mary Altaffer; NY Post photo compositeThe New York State Joint Commission on Public Ethics voted to open an independent investigation into its own practices involving former Gov. Andrew Cuomo's leadership book.
The board members of the embattled Joint Commission on Public Ethics voted unanimously Tuesday to launch an independent probe of its own internal operations — including the circumstances surrounding its prior approval of disgraced ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo's $5.1 million coronavirus book deal.

JCOPE member David McNamara issued a proposed resolution on the controversial Cuomo book contract before the ethics board went into its non-public session.

new york post headline cuomo book deal
© New York PostNew York Post cover from May 18, 2021.
"I think the public deserves a brief statement regarding what the item of business is, to consider and vote upon a proposed resolution that would, if approved, result in the engagement of outside counsel to conduct an inquiry into the facts, circumstances, policies and practices {in regards] to Gov. Andrew Cuomo's request for authorization to engage [into a contract] for personal profit the book 'American Crisis: Leadership Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic," said McNamara, a Republican appointee on the 14-member JCOPE board.

After returning from executive session, Jose Nieves, JCOPE's new executive director, appointed a day earlier by Gov. Kathy Hochul,
andrew cuomo book cover
Cuomo was paid a $3.1 million advance to write his COVID-19 leadership book last year and under his publishing contract will make another $2 million on the memoir over the next two years.
issued a statement and resolution confirming an independent probe.

Andrew Cuomo. Cuomo was paid a $3.1 million advance to write his COVID-19 leadership book last year and under his publishing contract will make another $2 million on the memoir over the next two years.Crown via AP

"In executive session, the commission voted to approve the retention of independent counsel to conduct an inquiry into the legal and procedural operations of the commission," Nieves said.

"That's the resolution that has been passed today. There will be future action at a future date," he added.

Some board members had complained that JCOPE's staff approved Cuomo's profit-making book deal without consulting them or having the board vote on it.

There's ongoing state and federal investigations on whether Cuomo's used government resources and staff to help draft the book. State Attorney General Letitia James has subpoenaed JCOPE's records as part of her office's probe of Cuomo's book deal.

An independent probe that finds JCOPE acted inappropriately in approving Cuomo's book deal could prompt the ethics agency to consider rescinding it and clawing back his profits.

JCOPE last month voted to allow Cuomo to keep the book profits.