ALBANY — Gov. Andrew Cuomo turned his response to a reporter's question about a political donor under federal investigation into an attack on the journalist's employer, which has been locked in an ongoing feud with Cuomo's administration.
In Queens Tuesday, NY1 reporter Zack Fink asked the Democratic governor about a Times Union report that the FBI and prosecutors are investigating whether $400,000 in contributions to Cuomo's campaign from Crystal Run Healthcare violated state and federal law.
Cuomo briefly answered the question, vowing to return the donations if the prosecutors uncovered any fraud.
He then pivoted quickly, turning his attention to Charter Spectrum — the state's largest cable provider and the parent company of the reporter's employer — and its battle with his administration.
"Speaking of fraud, Charter Spectrum has been executing fraud on the people of this state," Cuomo said.
The exchange has led to rebukes from Cuomo's political foes, saying Cuomo should apologize. On Wednesday, a spokesman for Cuomo said Fink has "covered the governor for years and we respect his work."
Ongoing battle
In the extended aside Tuesday, Cuomo repeatedly accused the company of fraud, outlining the state Public Service Commission's case that the company hasn't lived up to its agreement with New York as part of a 2016 merger with Time Warner Cable.
The commission, which is appointed by Cuomo, voted Friday to give Charter Spectrum 60 days to come up with a plan to exit the state, arguing that it has fallen behind on its pledge to expand broadband internet access to less-densely populated areas of the state.
Cuomo faulted the company for airing advertisements saying they are ahead of schedule and expanding high-speed internet at no cost to taxpayers.
"To say it's no cost to the taxpayers is also a fraud because that's the condition upon which the taxpayers gave you the franchise," Cuomo told Fink. "So you are defrauding the people of the state. That's a fraud."
When Fink — who has covered Cuomo for much of his eight years in office — asked a follow-up question, the governor questioned whether he was "speaking on behalf of Charter Spectrum or yourself."
Previous interactions
It was the second time in as many weeks Cuomo had referenced his administration's feud with Charter when faced with an unrelated question by Fink.
"I don't want to argue with you," Cuomo said July 19 as Fink asked about the governor's small-dollar donors.
"I already have a lawsuit with your station, as you know."
Charter owns NY1, a 24-hour news station in New York City, and Spectrum News, which broadcasts in other areas of the state.
Cuomo has also criticized Spectrum News for not providing more coverage of the Public Service Commission's battle with Charter.
In a statement Tuesday, a Charter spokesperson said the company "completely stands by our coverage of the governor and all local news around New York state."
Political criticism
Cuomo's treatment of Fink drew condemnation from the governor's political opponents, including Cynthia Nixon, who likened it to President Donald Trump's treatment of the press.
“Cuomo can't hold himself up as New York's answer to Donald Trump, and simultaneously threaten members of the press for doing their job," Nixon, who is challenging Cuomo in a Democratic primary Sept. 13, said in a statement.
She called on him to apologize.
Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro, the Republican nominee for governor, called on the state inspector general to investigate whether Cuomo is using the state's authority over Charter to intimidate NY1 reporters.
"I’ll come right out and say it: It looks to me like Andrew Cuomo is trying to send a chilling message to the news media — ’don’t mess with me’ — and I hope the inspector general can prove me wrong," Molinaro said in a statement.
In a statement Wednesday, Cuomo spokesman Rich Azzopardi said Cuomo's comments Tuesday were similar to what he's said publicly in the past.
"The governor answered his question and made the same statement that he has made to Charter Spectrum reporters and reporters statewide numerous times over the past few months communicating the facts of the state's two-year dispute with Charter for failing to serve the citizens of the state," Azzopardi said.
