Disgraced former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is considering running for political rival Letitia James' attorney general post, sources said.
Cuomo, 63, held the position from 2007 to 2010 before becoming governor and now sources close to the politician told the New York Post he could run for the position in 2022.
'People in Cuomo’s orbit are tossing it out there,' a person close to Cuomo told the New York Post. 'They’re floating [the idea].'
The source said Cuomo and his team are gauging reaction after the former governor's reputation hit an all-time low following the probe into sexual harassment claims.
Cuomo has been keeping a low profile and enjoying fishing trips with his dog Captain. He claims he has no plans to make a political comeback
Despite resigning from his position and having to move out of the Executive Mansion, Cuomo's war chest - money that can be used to campaign - remains high at $18million, the New York Post reported.
His political rival Letitia James, 63, won the attorney general position with $1million.
Rich Azzopardi, Cuomo's spokesperson, said: 'There is a ton of idle speculation out there and we can’t control if we continue to take up valuable real estate in people’s heads.'
Cuomo himself told New York Magazine that he didn't 'know what the future holds,' in their latest edition and said: 'I'm at peace. Look, it's simple: I trust the people and the truth will [win] out.'
Cuomo told the magazine he's enjoying his 'vacation.'
'I never took summer vacation. I didn't do that. I never took vacations, period,' he said. 'So, I'm enjoying time with family and friends. That's all I'm doing.'
Earlier this week, Cuomo celebrated his beloved dog Captain's fourth birthday with a picture of the two on a boat with superimposed clouds masking the background. Captain was seen giving his owner a kiss on the cheek.
Although the former governor is enjoying some fishing trips with his dog, he's also been gearing up a defense against those he believes antagonized him.
James being his biggest opponent, alongside State Senators Jessica Ramos and Alessandra Biaggi, who were both very vocal about calling for his resignation.
Former staff said it would be a total betrayal of his character not to fight back in some form at some point, and that it's just a matter of time before he does.
Cuomo was not impeached so can still run for governor again next year if he wants to.
It's unclear if that is likely, but one anonymous Albany lawmaker told New York Magazine they fear he may attack them by bankrolling their opponents in smaller local elections.
'To say he’s, like, an intense person doesn’t quite capture it,' said one former aide who did not want to give their name for fear of reprisal.
Cuomo was charged with forcible touching, two months after being pushed out of office by James following her report on the sexual harassment allegations.
Cuomo's rival current AG Letitia James announced recently that she will be running for NY Governor following Cuomo's resignation
But he could have his sex crime charge tossed out after the Albany County district attorney called the complaint 'potentially defective.'
District Attorney David Soares said that Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple filed the complaint 'unilaterally and inexplicably' while his investigation was still ongoing.
Soares, a Democrat, added that the complaint did not even include a sworn statement by the alleged victim, former aide Brittany Commisso, that would allow them to prosecute the deposed governor.
The DA noted that parts of Commisso's prior testimony were excluded and that one part of the complaint incorrectly stated the relevant law that Cuomo had allegedly broken.
Judge Holly Trexler of Albany City Court agreed to Soares' request to postpone Cuomo's arraignment until January 7, giving the district attorney 60 days 'to reduce the risk of a procedural dismissal of this case' and give Soares 'time to continue with our independent and unbiased review of the facts.'
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