New York Taxpayers Fund Cuomo’s $21M Defense Bill: A Closer Look

New York taxpayers are covering more than $21 million in legal fees for former Governor Andrew Cuomo, with a third of the total fund already used for his four sexual‑harassment lawsuits. The Trooper 1 case alone consumed $10.5 million in 2025, and the discovery phase took 3½ years involving 26 depositions exceeding usual limits.

Key Takeaways

• Total Expenditure: Over $21 M in state-funded, taxpayer‑financed legal costs.
• Major Expense: $10.5 M spent on the Trooper 1 lawsuit.
• Discovery: 3½‑year preparation period and 26 depositions.
• Legal Grounds: Public employees may receive “reasonable legal costs” under state law, yet Cuomo’s cases represent ~1/3 of all such expenditures since Jan 2020.
• Political Impact: Despite a 2025 mayoral campaign loss, state funding remained unchanged.
• Witness Testimony: Former aide Lindsey Boylan said, “The only reason he can continue harassing me is that New Yorkers pay for it.”
• Court Proceedings: Recent hearing focused on medical records and witness access; judge denied additional depositions but allowed limited discovery continuation.
• Financial Impact: A single former governor places a heavy burden on the state’s Legal‑Fee‑Fund.

Source: Boing Boing article