‘DIFFICULT DAY’

Cuomo’s Ex-Aide Sentenced to Six Years for Bribery

“It should serve as a warning to anyone who failed to uphold his or her oath as a public servant,” Cuomo said.

A former aide to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo was sentenced Thursday to six years for fraud and accepting bribes, according to a report from the Associated Press. In March, Joseph Percoco was convicted of accepting more than $300,000 in bribes from companies hoping to gain influence over Cuomo’s administration. When sentencing Percoco, U.S. District Judge Valerie E. Caproni used his tale as a warning to other public officials who have considered accepting bribes. “If you do so,” she said, “this court will show you no mercy.” Cuomo echoed Caproni’s words in his own statement, noting that “Joe Percoco is paying the price for violating the public trust. And it should serve as a warning to anyone who failed to uphold his or her oath as a public servant.” In court, Percoco told Caproni that he wanted to “express how sorry I am for my actions.” He has not commented publicly since the sentencing. It was a “difficult day in court,” his lawyer added.