Molinaro campaign: Cuomo ad contains 'lies.' Cuomo team: So do yours.

ALBANY – The Democratic primary hasn’t even arrived, yet Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and Republican gubernatorial candidate Marc Molinaro are trading accusations about whose ads contain the most falsehoods.

A Molinaro spokesman on Monday said Cuomo’s latest ad is filled with “out and out lies,” including claims that the Republican hasn’t made his taxes available, supported a controversial section of the new federal tax law regarding state and local tax deductions (SALT) and still opposes same-sex marriage.

“They say he didn’t release his taxes. He did. They say he opposed SALT. He’s on record” supporting the tax deductions, said Molinaro campaign aide David Catalfamo. He noted Molinaro – like other prominent Democrats including ex-President Barack Obama – shifted from opposing same-sex marriage to supporting it.

Molinaro has released his most recent income taxes, but not 10 years' worth as Cuomo's campaign has demanded. He previously said he supported the federal tax cuts backed by President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans, but opposed a provision to limit deductions for state and local taxes. As a state assemblyman, he voted against same-sex marriage, but now says he supports it.

The Cuomo campaign sought to point the finger back at Molinaro, noting earlier this month it called the GOP candidate's most recent ad “blatantly false.” The ad claims that Cuomo is “under investigation” regarding a federal probe involving Crystal Run Healthcare, a Hudson Valley company that received state grants and whose executives made contributions to the governor.

Though the company has acknowledged it has been subpoenaed, it has denied the investigation is part of a “pay to play” scandal. No charges have been filed relates to the probe. The governor hasn’t been accused of any wrongdoing. The Cuomo campaign has demanded that cable stations stopped running the Molinaro ad.

“It’s Molinaro who’s spreading lies,” said Cuomo spokeswoman Abbey Collins.