Hochul will have ‘massive’ conflict of interest on day 1 as governor (report) - syracuse.com

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Buffalo, N.Y. — Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul is staring at a big conflict of interest as she prepares to take over for Gov. Andrew Cuomo, according to the Daily Beast.

Hochul’s husband, former U.S. Attorney William Hochul, is currently general counsel and senior vice president at Buffalo-based gambling and hospitality giant Delaware North.

The company has tens of millions of dollars worth of contracts with the state, according to the Daily Beast. That includes long-term deals with the Office of Parks and Recreation to operate food and beverage concessions that will need to be renewed while Hochul is in office.

The company has also spent $700,000 just since 2019 to lobby the state, including on gambling matters, the Beast said. The company owns Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack in Ontario County and manages Hamburg Gaming near the Erie County Fairgrounds.

The firm is seeking a share of New York’s new online gambling business, according to the Beast. The outlet described the conflict of interest for Hochul as “massive.”

Delaware North also operates concessions at Syracuse Hancock International Airport.

Hochul will become New York’s first female governor in less than two weeks when Cuomo resigns. He announced his decision to step down yesterday after a report from the state attorney general concluded he sexually harassed multiple women.

Hochul’s team told the Beast there is already a recusal process in place to keep away any conflicts of interest. It’s not clear how that process works.

“It is being evaluated with her new role as governor, and it will be completed before she takes office,” said a spokesman, according to the Beast.

Delaware North did not respond to requests for comment, the Beast said.

Good government groups and others said they are concerned.

“It’s unacceptable to have him as general counsel and her as governor,” said John Kaehny, executive director of the good government group Reinvent Albany, according to the Beast. “The next governor should not be involved in enriching their spouse, it’s that simple.”

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