Gov. Cuomo’s daughter used an unmarked police SUV to take herself and her belongings from the state’s Executive Mansion, a possible misuse of state resources, sources said.
Michaela Kennedy-Cuomo, 23, was spotted last week lugging a large cardboard box and bags out of the Albany residence days after her father announced he was resigning.
She placed the goods in a black SUV, which a source identified as a state police vehicle, and was driven away.
“If there are legitimate security concerns for his family, they could provide security, but not moving services,” said Blair Horner, executive director of the New York Public Interest Research Group, a state watchdog.
Horner said unless the state’s Joint Commission on Public Ethics approved, “it could be an improper use of state resources.”
Betsy Gotbaum, executive director of Citizens Union, said “government resources should be used for government business.”
“Using a state vehicle for personal business is improper. Surely there are moving companies in the Capitol region that could help the Governor’s family move. It’s not fair to ask taxpayers to foot the bill,” Gotbaum said.
A State Police spokesman said Cuomo’s protective detail “provides security for the governor and his immediate family … that includes transports for immediate family.”
Cuomo’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The governor, who is a car fanatic, was seen driving himself in a black Dodge Charger Saturday, as he left his midtown office after a press briefing on Hurricane Henri. He headed toward the East River.
Cuomo is already under probe by state Attorney General Letitia James for allegedly having state employees work on his book about the coronavirus pandemic.
Mayor de Blasio was similarly criticized for having his security detail help his daughter move from Brooklyn to Gracie Mansion in 2018.
Former state Health Commissioner Antonia Novello took a plea deal in 2009 for having state workers drive her on personal errands and do household work.
And former State Comptroller Alan Hevesi resigned in 2006 as part of a plea deal related to having state workers drive around his sick wife.