New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo received a $100,000 campaign contribution from a development company, then two days later signed a bill giving huge tax breaks to the same firm, the
New York Daily News is reporting.
Two corporations tied to Extell Development each contributed $50,000 to Cuomo's campaign, which recorded the checks on Jan. 28, the day the state Assembly passed a housing bill that included tax breaks for five developers, including Extell.
Cuomo, who is up for re-election next year, signed the bill two days later.
"And less than three weeks after the bill became law, Extell President Gary Barnett donated $100,000 to a state Democratic Party account that Cuomo was tapping to finance ads pushing his agenda," the News reported.
Extell received tax breaks projected to total $35 million over 10 years for a luxury apartment tower in Midtown Manhattan.
Cuomo aide Melissa DeRosa told the Daily News it is "beyond reckless" to suggest the governor is influenced by donations.