Political Pig Latin In NYS

Quid pro quo, ipso facto - Latin or the way things work in NY? Governor Cuomo continues to get hammered relative to his shut down of the Moreland Commission that he created to investigate political corruption. On Monday in Buffalo, Cuomo used the ipso facto wording to explain his version of fact versus a New York Times story that seemed to show his office's involvement in trying to control or guide what he had proclaimed as an 'independent' Commission. His initial response to any criticism was always how it was his commission and therefore he could do anything he wanted with it. That didn't seem to be working so he seems to have convinced various parties to come out and explain how independent they really were. The only problem is that some of these same people seem to have given a different impression to not only the New York Times but also to the Federal Prosecutor who has taken over the corruption investigation where the Moreland Commission left off.

Now Governor Cuomo has always had a heavy hand in orchestrating support for his activities and positions. Prior to announcing any initiative, his staff start making phone calls to line up all the people who they believe should support his effort. They will even write the quotes that will be issued in people's names. That's a fairly common practice but normally parties are allowed to review, wordsmith, etc. The NYS Governor's office makes it pretty clear that their words are the words to be used. I have also heard numerous times how intimidated people feel relative to their 'mandated' participation in these public relations efforts.

My point is that there does seem to be a long history of orchestration and control on Cuomo's part and some of that is political reality. There is a difference though when a Federal Prosecutor is conducting an investigation. Getting involved in what people say, when they say it, how they say it and potentially having people change earlier impressions could be interpreted as witness tampering or obstruction of justice. The Federal Prosecutor has reminded the Governor of that fact - ipso facto.