The document, published on the state Comptroller's website after being obtained by the New York Post via a Freedom of Information Act request, is a contract between the office of New York Governor Kathy Hochul and with the law firm Wilkie Farr & Gallagher covering the period from September 10, 2021, until September 9, 2022. However, the signatures by the two parties are dated October 28, 2021.
In the contract, it notes that the DOJ has opened inquiries into Cuomo on a number of matters, including his administration's response to COVID-19 outbreaks in nursing homes, his publications of a book about his COVID-19 response, "and other pandemic related matters," as well as the sexual harassment claims against him made by 11 women.
The DOJ has not yet publicly commented on any investigation into Cuomo. He has denied that any of the incidents, which include forcible touching and lewd comments, took place.
A damning investigation into the accusations by New York Attorney General Letitia James found he had “violated multiple state and federal laws, as well as the Executive Chamber’s own written policies” and effectively ended Cuomo's 10-year career in the Empire State's top political office, forcing him to resign in disgrace in August 2021. Hochul, his deputy, replaced him as governor.
Cuomo was charged by the Albany County Sheriff’s Office with a misdemeanor sex offense charge and is scheduled to appear on court on January 7, 2022.
However, it was revealed earlier this week that he has continued to collect a monthly pension of $4,219, for a total annual dispensation of 50,629.32.
James' office released a massive dossier from the investigation on Monday, including tens of thousands of emails, text messages, and interview transcripts. Shortly after their release, CNN indefinitely suspended one of its prime time news hosts, Andrew Cuomo's younger brother Chris Cuomo, as the documents revealed he had coordinated public relations strategy with the governor's staff and used his position as a journalist to investigate his brother's accusers.