New York - The second week of the trial of Governor Andrew Cuomo's right-hand-man continues in Manhattan this morning.
Joseph Percoco is accused of taking hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes, in exchange for his influence in State Government. Prosecutors are arguing that Percoco pocketed over $300,000 in bribes to help three businessmen, including, a pair of Executives from Fayetteville's COR Development clear government obstacles.
Since the trial began a week ago Governor Cuomo has limited his public appearances to just a weekend conference call with reporters about taxes. The governor was pressed about the trial and how it may impact his political future. He said that as the former attorney general for the State 'he has a tremendous respect for the process' and thinks it would be 'highly inappropriate' for him to provide commentary about the trial.
Cuomo is considered a possible 2020 Presidential candidate. Republicans are using this trail to paint the Governor as corrupt. The Governor's own Chief of Staff, who gave nearly two full days of testimony last week, told reporters that she is confident that the Percoco trial will not damage the future political ambitions of the Governor.