Ex-pols keep campaign accounts open

ALBANY -- At least eight elected officials appointed or nominated to top posts by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo have kept campaign finance accounts, a practice long criticized by government watchdogs who say it opens the door to influence peddling.

An active campaign fund is open to contributions from special interests looking to influence the recipient and allows ex-politicians in patronage jobs to stay in the political mix. Funds can be transferred to other politicians, including the governor.

Donations to civic groups back home help maintain political influence and even if the campaign account isn't tapped, it signals the civil servant could choose to run for office again, perhaps for a more powerful elected position.

Cuomo, who campaigned on a promise to enact an ethics law to end Albany's notorious "pay to play" environment, has a spoken agreement with his appointees not to accept funds or spend money from their political accounts, according to two appointees.

Cuomo believes state laws governing gifts and how campaign funds are spent -- both long criticized as weak by good-government groups -- are enough.

"Campaign accounts are governed by the Election Law and the Public Officers Law, and the relevant oversight bodies provide guidance on individual circumstances," Cuomo spokesman Richard Bamberger said in a written statement.

Good-government advocates aren't convinced.

"So it's just holding onto it, but for what purpose?" said Barbara Bartoletti of the League of Women Voters. "I think that's the question everyone would ask: You got this good job, probably through political connections, what are you going to do?"

In 2006, then-Gov. George Pataki admonished his insurance superintendent, Howard Mills, over his active campaign account after Mills' failed bid at a congressional seat. The New York Times had revealed Mills' campaign accepted $15,000 in donations.