ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo's administration is paying a former federal prosecutor up to $450,000 for an internal review of the Buffalo Billion project, Cuomo's effort to revitalize the state's second largest city.
The Democratic governor's office on Friday released its contract with Bart Schwartz and his assistants. Schwartz was retained in April after Cuomo learned that two former aides were being investigated by U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara's office for possible conflicts of interest connected to the Buffalo Billion.
Schwartz once led the U.S. attorney's criminal division in Manhattan.
Bharara's office is focusing on Joe Percoco, Cuomo's former executive secretary and campaign manager, and Todd Howe, a lobbyist who worked for Cuomo in the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Cuomo has said any wrongdoing will not be tolerated.