BINGHAMTON, N.Y. -- It's what many are calling a dark chapter in the state's history.

On Thursday, four donors to Governor Cuomo were found guilty on fraud charges as part of the "Buffalo Billion" trial.

Two of those men included Syracuse's COR Development founder Steven Aiello and attorney Joseph Gerardi.

This comes just a few months after Aiello was found guilty of conspiracy and bribery alongside former top aide to the governor, Joseph Percoco.

"This governor has abdicated his responsibilities to the people of the state of New York and has allowed, encouraged and emboldened individuals to rig the system, bend the rules, and cheat taxpayers," said Marcus Molinaro, (R) Gubernatorial Candidate.

The men were accused of colluding to rig bids for state-funded contracts that totaled more than $850 million.

Gerardi and Aiello worked with SUNY Polytechnic president Alain Kaloyeros to tailor RFPs to ensure Cor Development would win the work in the Syracuse area.

Cuomo has not been accused of any wrongdoing, but Senator Fred Akshar believes he's just as responsible.

"That was a guilty verdict on the governor. Nobody can suggest that the governor doesn’t understand what is happening right beneath him," said Fred Akshar, (R) Senate – Binghamton.

The projects were a result of the governor's upstate revitalization plan, which was meant to jumpstart local economies.

Congresswoman Claudia Tenney says it's done just the opposite.

"The interesting aspect of this is that in spite of the millions of dollars in hard earned taxpayer money that's been spent, New York is dead last in job creation," said Claudia Tenney, (R) 22nd Congressional District.

One of Cuomo's opponents, Marcus Molinaro, who was touring the southern tier, says the state should instead be lowering the cost of living and making easier for farmers and small businesses to survive.

"That's the way you grow the economy. That's the way you ensure families stay here in the state of New York and that's how we change course to ensure everybody can afford to live here," said Molinaro.

Aiello and Gerardi plan to appeal the verdict.

All four men, including Buffalo developer Louis Ciminelli, are set to be sentenced in October.