Attorneys for second accuser Charlotte Bennett were also concerned that the law firm was too closely aligned with Cuomo, in relation to the firm’s past affiliation with Glazer, a Cuomo political appointee. Glazer was at the law firm for 30 years before his retirement. Cuomo appointed him to the board of a state university and a board that helped pick the sites of casinos.
“This is an unacceptable conflict of interest,” said Bennett’s lawyer, Debra Katz. “While Ms. Bennett is committed to cooperating with all appropriate governmental inquiries, including the impeachment investigation, the involvement of Davis Polk gives her pause.”
The lawyer, Debra Katz, said she was alarmed to learn of the firm s retention and warned that it may affect the willingness of Bennett and other Cuomo accusers to cooperate with the Assembly s investigation.
Katz s objection is based on two facts. State Court of Appeals Chief Judge Janet DiFiore, who would be a juror in a Senate trial of Cuomo if he is impeached, is married to former longtime David Polk partner Dennis Glazer. And, Cuomo appointed Glazer to the board of the State University of New York, Purchase.
Last month, Cuomo failed in his effort to get state Attorney General Letitia James to agree to conduct the investigation of him in conjunction with DiFiore. That effort was seen as a bid by Cuomo to have some measure of political sway over the probe.
March 17, 2021 at 3:58 PM
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(Photo by Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/Getty Images)
When the New York state Assembly hired a law firm to investigate the allegations swirling around Governor Andrew Cuomo, it was always going to be an elite firm. Maybe a top-flight boutique, but probably a ginormous Biglaw firm able to wield the legal know-how and brute force necessary to handle such a high-profile investigation.
Biglaw firm Davis Polk got the nod for this assignment. Today, Speaker Carl Heastie and Judiciary Committee Chair Charles D. Lavine made the announcement:
“Since Thursday, Chairman Lavine led a vigorous search for a top-flight firm to assist with the investigation. I have the utmost faith that Assemblymember Lavine and our Judiciary Committee will conduct a full and fair investigation,” Speaker Heastie said. “Hiring Davis Polk will give the Committee the experience, independence and resources needed to handle this important investigation in a thorough and expeditious ma