Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is trying to force the state to pay for his legal defense in a sexual harassment case launched against him earlier this year. In 2015, Mr. David was appointed Advisor to the Governor by Governor Andrew Cuomo. In this role, he acts as Senior Legal Counsel and Senior Legal Counsel to the Governor, overseeing all key legal and policy considerations affecting New York State, including the evaluation of legislative proposals; Implementation of laws and guidelines and formulation of the State`s attitude in positive and defensive disputes. The lawsuit filed Wednesday by Cuomo`s attorney argues that Attorney General Tish James erred in her April decision to reject Cuomo`s request for state representation or tax-funded private counsel in the case. According to the Times Union, AG rejected James Cuomo`s request for a lawyer to defend the federal lawsuit without giving reasons. Cuomo`s lawyer, Rita Glavin, said James` denial was “arbitrary, capricious, contrary to the plain text of the law, biased, personally and politically contradictory,” as well as a dereliction of duty. “Instead of assuring her that she would be protected from retaliation, as required by executive department policy, and encouraging her to participate in a thorough investigation into her allegations, the chief of staff and special counsel exploited Charlotte`s fear and manipulated her to accept a transfer and remain silent,” Katz said in a March 5 statement. ALBANY, N.Y. Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo wants taxpayers to cancel his bill for legal defense against the ongoing trial of a former state soldier for sexual harassment — and he is suing the state`s top lawyer to enforce his will. “James` rejection of Governor Cuomo`s request for legal advice was arbitrary, capricious, contrary to plain language, biased, personal and politically contradictory,” said the lawsuit, filed Wednesday in Manhattan State Court, the same day James impeached former President Donald Trump in an independent case.

“The report was reviewed by five different county prosecutors, and each refused to proceed on the basis of it – it was nothing more than a political document and has no legal weight. Their political games continue,” he said in a statement. Cuomo appears to have largely paid his legal bills with the roughly $16 million in his campaign account since he left office, but his lawyer says he should not be required to defend himself against the charges made when he was governor. The lawsuit is asking the court to overturn the attorney general`s refusal, declare it a conflict of interest, and therefore allow Cuomo to seek state-paid private legal counsel. Mychael Schnell contributed to this report. “Andrew Cuomo is trying to force New Yorkers to pay his legal bills because he believes sexual harassment was in his `employment zone` as governor,” James` office said in a statement. “. The rejection of Governor Cuomo`s request for legal advice by the accused James was arbitrary, capricious, contrary to the plain language of the law, biased, personally and politically contradictory, and violated the duties of the accused James as the legal head of the state,” the lawsuit said, citing state law. Cuomo`s lawsuit, filed Wednesday night in Manhattan State Supreme Court, accuses the attorney general`s office of wrongly rejecting Cuomo`s request for a defense attorney or his attorneys` fees and providing no reason or support for the decision. Prior to his appointment as Chief Legal Counsel to the Governor, Mr. David served for four years in the Governor`s Office as Assistant Secretary and Civil Rights Advisor, the first position of its kind in New York State. In this capacity, he was responsible for a range of legal, political, legislative and operational matters concerning civil rights and labour throughout the state.

Mr. David also served as Special Deputy Attorney General for Civil Rights for the New York State Attorney General`s Office, where he led a dozen Assistant Attorneys General in various positive investigations and litigation, including employment and housing discrimination, fair lending, reproductive rights, and anti-bias claims.