State, local pols release tax returns

ALBANY - State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo saw his income drop last year by about $200,000 compared with 2008 because of a poorly-performing investment fund, according to tax information released Thursday.

Cuomo, the presumed Democratic candidate for governor, estimated his adjusted gross income at $179,000 and $194,000 on federal and state tax returns, respectively. His state salary was $144,000, virtually unchanged from 2008.

Cuomo's earnings two years ago were about $398,000, with $216,200 coming from hedge funds with EnTrust Capital Diversified. Asked about the decline in Cuomo's income, spokesman John Milgrim said, "the investment fund earned less money."

Cuomo expects to pay $66,000 in federal and state taxes for 2009 and to receive refunds totaling $19,000. His charitable contributions consisted of $7,500 to Housing Enterprise for the Less Privileged, which he started in 1986 to aid the homeless.

None of the declared candidates for major-party nominations for governor disclosed tax information by Thursday's filing deadline.

Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy, a Democrat turned Republican, filed for an extension as he "commonly does" but "will disclose upon filing," said spokesman Josh Hills. Former GOP Rep. Rick Lazio "will be releasing his tax returns at an appropriate time," said aide Barney Keller.

Buffalo developer Carl Paladino also filed for an extension but will release his 300-plus page return.

Gov. David A. Paterson, who isn't seeking election, reported a combined income with his wife, Michelle Paige, of $328,284, an increase of $40,838 over 2008. The difference was due to Paige's performance bonus from her job at Emblem Health Service in Manhattan.

Paterson earned $175,983 as governor but gave back $18,000, or 10 percent - fulfilling a pledge made during the depths of New York's fiscal crisis.

The couple owes $14,824 in federal, state and New York City taxes after paying $113,682.

The Patersons contributed $4,650 to charity, including $750 to domestic violence groups. In February, the governor scrapped his election campaign after reports he interfered with a domestic violence case involving longtime aide David W. Johnson. Lawyers from Cuomo's office are investigating Paterson.

Among five Democrats vying to be the next attorney general only Nassau District Attorney Kathleen Rice released tax returns. The others filed for extensions.

Rice reported income of $152,921 last year. Her salary as district attorney was $150,983.

She paid $39,536 in federal and state taxes, and received refunds totaling $4,269, documents say. She donated $1,561 to six charities.