ALBANY, N.Y. -- The investigator hired to perform an internal review by Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office of the Buffalo Billion economic development project will be paid as much as $450,000. That's according to a contract released Friday by the governor's office.
Investigator Bart Schwartz's firm, Guidepost Solutions, was hired in April after Cuomo's office was issued a subpoena by U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara, who is investigating possible corruption within economic development programs, including the Buffalo Billion, a signature project for the governor. The investigation has focused on lobbyist Todd Howe, who has ties to Cuomo's political apparatus and former top Cuomo aide and confidant, Joe Percoco.
According to the contract, Schwartz will have broad authority to investigate spending within economic development projects as well as question the governor's staff. Schwartz has subpoena power given under the Moreland Act and is authorized to consult with Bharara's office. Cuomo in May was hazy about the details of what Schwartz will be doing.
The contract itself runs through Dec. 31.
Campaign filings made public on Friday show Cuomo's re-election campaign spent $150,000 on white collar defense lawyer Elkan Ambramowitz in March - a month before the latest Bharara subpoena was issued.