Reform Groups Back Ethics Panel in Lawsuit Brought by Former Gov. Cuomo Seeking to Eliminate It
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A group of government reform organizations are supporting New York's ethics commission in a lawsuit brought by former Gov. Andrew Cuomo seeking to eliminate the panel.
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The groups argue the new Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (COELIG) is constitutional and should continue investigations, including into Cuomo's pandemic memoir deal.
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A lower court judge previously ordered COELIG to cease investigations and ruled its appointment process for commissioners violated the governor's constitutional powers.
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The reform groups counter in their brief that while the appointment process isn't perfect, it is constitutional.
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The case is set to go before an appellate panel in February; the panel granted a stay allowing COELIG to continue investigations for now.