New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) is reportedly set to receive more than $5 million for his memoir last year about leadership during the coronavirus pandemic.
According to figures obtained by The New York Times, Cuomo has already received $3.12 million from his book “American Crisis: Leadership Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic.” State officials told the Times that he will receive another $2 million over the next two years through his contract with the Crown Publishing Group.
A spokesperson for Cuomo, Richard Azzopardi, told the newspaper that Cuomo had received a net sum of $1,537,508 for the book last year after expenses and taxes were factored in.
“From that net income, the governor donated a third to the United Way of New York State for statewide Covid relief and vaccination effort, and is giving the remainder in a trust for his three daughters equally,” Azzopardi said.
News of the earnings comes as Cuomo faces multiple sexual misconduct allegations. The accusations are being investigated by New York Attorney General Letitia James (D), and Cuomo has denied any wrongdoing.
James is also investigating reports that Cuomo used state resources to help in writing his memoir, including having aides assist in the writing and promotion of the book.
Crown Publishing stopped all promotion of Cuomo’s book in March and canceled plans for a paperback version after it was reported that an aide to the governor had rewritten the number of nursing home coronavirus deaths while Cuomo was writing his book, the Times reported.
Cuomo has denied the allegations against him surrounding the book, saying that those who helped him did so voluntarily.