Families of female aides defending Cuomo rake in millions lobbying him
From WWW.FOXNEWS.COM
Two of Gov. Cuomo’s top female aides, who have covered for him during a snowballing sexual harassment scandal, have family ties to high-powered lobbyists whose firms rake in millions of dollars lobbying the governor and those in his orbit.
Cuomo’s powerful secretary, Melissa DeRosa, is married to Matthew Wing, his former press secretary who now serves as a top communications exec for Uber. Her father, Giorgio DeRosa, is a partner and chief Albany lobbyist for the influential Bolton St. Johns firm. Brother Joseph and sister Jessica also work at the firm.
Chief of staff Jill DesRosiers, meanwhile, is life partner of Harry Giannoulis, president and co-founder of the Parkside Group — another Empire State lobbying behemoth.
"People are married to, and the children of, top lobbyists. So the potential for conflicts of interest abound," John Kaehny of Reinvent Albany told The Post. "The sexual harassment accusations are really just a facet of an overall abuse of power. It’s just part of it."
Melissa DeRosa’s father Giorgio DeRosa, is a partner and chief Albany lobbyist for the influential Bolton St. Johns firm. Brother Joseph and sister Jessica also work at the firm.
In 2019 and 2020, Uber spent more than $1.1 million lobbying in New York, including "direct" talks with Cuomo, according to filings with the state Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE).
Giannoulis’ Parkside Group likewise cashed in on their primo connections inside the executive mansion. Fanduel, a sports betting company, dropped at least $52,500 in 2020 for an exhaustive slate of lobbying services, which included "direct lobbying" of Cuomo’s office and his executive chamber.
Another A-list client, the energy investment firm LS Power Associates, cut Parkside a $75,000 check to directly lobby Cuomo’s executive council and his office. Major League Baseball and the National Basketball Association dropped $35,850 and $32,700 respectively for access to the governor’s inner circle.
Cuomo Chief of Staff Jill DesRosiers and her partner Harry Giannoulis, co-owner of The Parkside Group.
"Nobody at the Parkside Group has lobbied Jill DesRosiers and Harry Giannoulis doesn’t lobby anybody. It’s as simple as that," said Tim Costa, a spokesman for the firm.
Bolton St. Johns similarly... (Read more)
Tweets mentioned:
https://twitter.com/user/status/1008339925740195840
Submitted 1145 days ago
Latest News