Article Author:
Associated Press
Michael Hill
Albany, NY (AP) — A New York state trooper had a romantic relationship with one of Andrew Cuomo's adult daughters while incarcerated. should have been subject to disciplinary action. Details of security for Democrats when he was governor, the state inspector general said in a report.
A Watchdog report released on Friday said the relationship came two years after his and the trooper's apparent expulsion to a post near the Canadian border led to newspaper headlines. became the subject of
At the time, there was speculation that Cuomo was so upset over his relationship with the officer that he personally ordered him to be moved to a garrison about 150 miles north of the governor's mansion. flew around.
The report by Inspector General Lucy Lang did not address whether the governor requested the transfer of officers.
According to the Inspector General's report, Cuomo's chief of staff told the governor's security force commander about the relationship on May 22, 2020, the day after the governor learned of his daughter. Told.
Later, Kevin Bruen, now superintendent of state police but then first under secretary, told his then colleague that the governor was "very upset." Told.
Trooper Dane Pfeiffer, who had an affair with Cuomo's daughter, told state police that the relationship began about two months ago and that he never had physical contact with her while on duty. He described his conduct as "professional." However, Bruen thought Pfeiffer had "compromised".
"You are in this position and you cannot have such a relationship with one of your wards," Bruen told investigators at the Inspector General's Office. Ha...if you're on a particular mission and there's a fire in your house, you might run to your loved one.Right.But that's not your job."
declined to formally reprimand him for the consensual relationship, but wanted him removed from the Department of Protective Services. Soon after, Pfeiffer requested a transfer to the Northernmost Army in New York. Pfeiffer told the inspector general that he didn't really want to go, but was "voluntarily told" to change his assignment.
"On paper I volunteered, but no, I don't want to go there. Never again," Pfeiffer testified.
Pfeiffer said he was promoted to sergeant in November and was posted to New York City.
The inspector general's report did not conclude that Cuomo did anything wrong, but accused state police of failing to follow their own procedures after learning of the relationship.
The Inspector General concluded that Pfeiffer should have been disciplined. The report notes that the regulations require officers to refrain from activities that may "prevent the proper, fair and effective conduct of public duties."
In contrast, , the report noted that Bruen decided to reprimand Pfeiffer's boss for not notifying his boss when he learned about the relationship.The supervisor, a sergeant, chose to retire.
The Troopers' union, the New York State Troopers Police Charitable Association, said it was "shocked and appalled" by the conclusion that the troopers should have been disciplined.
} The union said he engaged in "off-duty conduct that was personal in nature and had nothing to do with his duties or responsibilities." In an emailed statement, it said the protection services department was overhauled last year and "is already working with the inspector general to ensure the report's recommendations are implemented."
Cuomo resigned a year ago over a sexual harassment scandal.
