Cuomo raised above $2 million with the help of New York business leaders as he was accused of sexual harassment

July 20, 2021: -New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo raised above $2 million from some of New York’s top donors despite being accused of sexual harassment by former aides.

The re-election campaign of Cuomo also paid his attorney’s firm, Glavin PLLC, over $280,000 while he was under investigation by the New York state attorney general’s office for alleged sexual misconduct. Cuomo has not agreed with the wrongdoing.

The two payments to the law firm came in May and June. In February, New York Attorney General Letitia James announced that she would be overseeing the investigation into the misconduct allegations. On Saturday, the New York Times reported that he is expected to be questioned by investigators.

Even with all the controversy surrounding him, many New York business community members seemed to rally around him. The Democratic governor began raising funds earlier in the year and is up for re-election in 2022. CNBC reported on the donors who chose to pause their contributions to him after multiple scandals arose.

Stephen Ross, a billionaire and the chair of real estate giant Related Companies, provided $25,000 to Cuomo in late June. Ross owns the Miami Dolphins. Laurance Rockefeller Jr., a member of the ultrawealthy Rockefeller family, provided $10,000 that same month. He hosted a big-money campaign fundraising event last month, and Rockefeller told the Associated Press that he was sticking with Cuomo.

“We have due process in this country,” Rockefeller said.

Dennis Mehiel, a New York businessman and friend of President Joe Biden, provided $12,500 in June. Dennis Arfa, the CEO of Artist Group International, provided $10,000 last month. Arfa is a long-time agent for music legend Billy Joel. Both the corporations of Cablevision of Southern Westchester and Altice also contributed to the re-election campaign of Cuomo in July.

Cuomo is under scrutiny for other controversies, including handling nursing home deaths during the coronavirus pandemic and a massive book deal