Cuomo Suspended Probe Into Weinstein After $25K Bribe From His Lawyers

BAILEY T. STEEN | FRIDAY, AUGUST 31, 2018

Gov. Andrew Cuomo is notorious for his rhetoric of being strong on crime. While currently in the thick of a Democratic Primary, facing off against progressive challenger Cynthia Nixon on September the 13th, his tough talk is being brought into question. Just days before the election, new revelations suggest a $25k bribe from a law firm forced Cuomo to halt an investigation into Harvey Weinstein, the serial sex offending movie producer.
Last year, the political daggers came out when journalists discovered that David Boies, the star litigator representing Weinstein, essentially decided to issue a secret $10,000 bribe to Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. back in 2015. According to a report from The International Business Times, citing reviewed campaign finance documents, this enticing payment was made just months after Vanceâs D.A. office, all of a sudden, decided not to prosecute Weinstein over these allegations. This wasnât just a case unsubstantiated he said she said, but involved that infamous tape recording of the Italian supermodel being pressured to Weinsteinâs hotel room for sex.
For some reason, this case was rejected by D.A. officials his law firm bribed.
Surely a legal mind in Gov. Cuomo, father of three girls and a proud feminist, would see the appearance of pay-to-play corruption within his own D.A. thatâs protecting this iconic monster, correct? Initially, yes.
In March, the governor was on the side of justice when he announced the appointment of a special deputy to specifically investigate the Manhattan D.A.âs corrupt handling of the case. Vance tried to save face, reversing his decision to later charge the producer, but Cuomo â this committed man of justice â kept to his guns and told the public âit is critical not only that these cases are given the utmost attention but also that there is public confidence in the handling of these cases.â The inquiry would proceed.
Now, in less than a year later, Cuomo has shown a change of heart, suspending the investigation without any solid reason or indication of if the trial will really continue. BuzzFeed News first reported of Cuomoâs reversal in a letter sent to NYCâs current Attorney General, Barbara Underwood, asking her to suspend the investigation for six months. Underwood, of course, became the new A.G. in May to replace Eric Schneiderman, the man forced to resign following accusations of abuse towards woman despite being a fierce adversary of the movie producer.
And why exactly did Cuomo do all this, you may be asking? Money, of course!
In a new investigation from journalists David Sirota and Jay Cassano, it was the very same Boiesâ law firm who gave Cuomoâs gubernatorial campaign a hefty $25,000 donation shortly before the tense race against Nixon commences. Talk about the balls on a guy to not only bribe those investigating your client, but also those investigating the investigators. The absolute state of modern pay-to-play political corruption, people. Itâs a multi-tiered level affair.
Six days after that order was issued, Boies, Schiller & Flexner (BSF) gave their $25,000 to Cuomoâs reelection campaign, while theyâve donated a lifetime sum of $245,000 to the governor since 2009.
***EMBED TWEET: https://twitter.com/AlbertSamaha/status/1034858611867115521
Their mutual denial tour soon began.
âNeither Mr. Boies, nor anyone from his firm, ever discussed Harvey Weinstein or Mr. Vance with Mr. Cuomo, or anyone from his office, at any time,â a spokesperson for BSF said in an email statement to the journalists. âMr. Boies is a longtime supporter of Mr. Cuomo and his contribution in June was consistent with his contributions to Mr. Cuomo over years past.â
In fairness, Boies has since severed ties to Weinstein following reports the producer used Black Cube, a private intelligence company, which he used to collect information on Weinsteinâs accusers and the reporters investigating those allegations. These tactics are indicative of a Hollywood powerbroker who, according to the bombshell article from The New York Times, ruled the industry with an iron fist. Weinstein notorious for silencing his dissenters with any means necessary, whether it involved blacklisting celebrities or getting dirt to use as leverage. Perhaps these actions of blackmail and extortion, once they reached the public eye, were just a bit too much for Boies the briber. But those campaign cheques cleared regardless.
Cuomoâs spokesperson said the investigation was suspended temporarily in order to âavoid interfering with Vanceâs ongoing prosecution of Weinsteinâ. Because see, itâs only ethical that Weinsteinâs possible controlled opposition maintain their positions, people. No problem to see here, apparently. Please.
âAs we said when the Governor directed the Attorney General to investigate the Manhattan DAâs Office, it should not interfere with the DAâs ongoing criminal case,â Cuomo press secretary Dani Lever told Buzzfeed News following the relevations. âGiven the recent indictment and prosecution of Harvey Weinstein by the district attorney, the attorney generalâs investigation has been postponed for six months.â
But donât start counting the months. I donât say this often, but BuzzFeed News is right when they say this: âThe case could drag through the courts for months or even years, suggesting the suspension could be extended indefinitely.â Until that money is returned, new appointments are made and a commitment to justice is restored, the balls are still in Harveyâs court.

Thanks for reading!
Bailey T. Steen is a journalist, designer and film critic residing in the heart of Victoria, Australia. Heâs also a proud Putin Puppet⢠on occasion.
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Cheers, darlings!! đ