8 May 2021
Peter Ajemian, the communications director for New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D), resigned Friday, adding to the list of growing departures from the governor’s office.
Ajemian’s last day of work was Friday. The former communications director will be replaced by Rich Azzopardi, who’s been a longtime chief adviser for the governor, according to an announcement. Azzopardi will be taking on a double role as communications director and chief adviser.
“After nearly four years, and with this year’s budget done and vaccine eligibility open to everyone, I decided now is the time to pursue opportunities in the private sector,” Ajemian said in a statement reported by Spectrum News.
by Tyler Durden
Friday, May 07, 2021 - 04:37 PM
We haven t heard much Gov. Andrew Cuomo over the past few weeks as the governor s strategy of accelerating the reopening of the Empire State to help distract from the numerous scandals he faced earlier this year (from concealing the death toll from the state s nursing homes, to allegedly harassing at least nine women, including vulnerable young female staffers) has apparently succeeded.
But with NYC set to reopen 100% on July 1 (according to Cuomo s political arch-rival, Mayor Bill de Blasio), an Albany reporter with NY focused politics outlet State of Politics reports that Cuomo s Communications Director, Peter Ajemian, has abruptly quit and Friday will be his last day with the governor.
PUBLISHED 3:16 PM ET May. 07, 2021 PUBLISHED 3:16 PM EDT May. 07, 2021
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Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s communications director, Peter Ajemian, has resigned from his position and his last day was on Friday.
Rich Azzopardi, the governor s longtime chief advisor, will be replacing him and taking on a double role as communications director and chief advisor.
NEW: @NYGovCuomo Communications Director Peter Ajemian, has resigned. His last day is today.@RichAzzopardi will be replacing him as communications director Morgan Mckay (@morganfmckay) May 7, 2021 After nearly four years, and with this year s budget done and vaccine eligibility open to everyone, I decided now is the time to pursue opportunities in the private sector, Ajemian said in a statement. I’m grateful to the governor for giving me the chance to serve. It s been the honor of a lifetime to be part of a team working for New Yorkers in a period of unprecedented
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Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s communications director Peter Ajemian resigned Friday, making him the latest to distance himself from the multiple scandals embroiling the New York governor.
Richard Azzopardi, the governor’s longtime advisor who has publicly gone to bat for him amid investigations into sexual harassment claims and into Cuomo’s handling of nursing homes during the pandemic, will now wear another hat as communications director.
Ajemian took on the role not yet a year ago, in August 2020, when Dani Lever left for a job in the private sector. Ajemian says he too is leaving for the private sector after nearly four years with the governor’s office.
The New York Times reported Cuomo’s administration withheld the number of nursing home residents to die of COVID-19 in hospitals for at least five months last year, preventing its own Department of Health from revealing the number to the public and state lawmakers.
The health department produced a scientific paper last spring that included the number, but it was never published. The health department also drafted two letters for state lawmakers last fall that included the number, but they were never sent out.
Cuomo, speaking at the Belle Center in downtown Buffalo as part of the state’s vaccination effort, maintained this was done to make sure the number was accurate.