By David Klepper
For decades, Joseph Percoco was among the most loyal aides and
confidants to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, so close to his family that
the governor once likened him to a brother.
This week, he faces trial in New York City on federal charges that he
used that relationship to collect a fortune in bribes from two companies
doing business with the state.
Jury selection is set to begin Monday in a case that has already proven
to be a source of personal pain and political embarrassment for Cuomo, a
Democrat and possible presidential candidate in 2020 who came into
office vowing to do something about Albany's corrupt culture.
While Cuomo is not accused of wrongdoing and isn't expected to testify,
the charges against Percoco have damaged both his image as a reformer
and one of his signature policy initiatives, the investment of billions
of dollars in public money in to upstate economic development programs.
Percoco, and others, are accused of enriching themselves by selling their influence to companies involved in those efforts.
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Source: ABC News (via Empire Report New York)
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