State Ethics Commission Clears Cuomo Appointee

A report from the New York State ethics commission has cleared New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s former high-level economic development official Sam Hoyt of sexual harassment charges, but left many unanswered questions.

The Joint Commission on Public Ethics, or JCOPE, where Cuomo appoints the six of 14 commissioners, found no evidence that Hoyt, also a Cuomo appointee, sexually harassed Lisa Marie Cater, to whom he paid $50,000.

His attorneys posted a copy of the letter online Monday.

Cater came forward with her story of sexual harassment in a federal lawsuit filed last November, where she described writing the Empire State Development Corp. for help finding a job. Hoyt emailed her back and helped her secure a job at the Department of Motor Vehicles in Buffalo, but soon used the connection to sexually harass and assault her.

He allegedly turned up at her home uninvited and kissed and groped her sent her sexually explicit texts and emails, including a nude photo where he asked if he looked tan. Hoyt later gave her $50,000 to keep quiet about what happened.

Hoyt was disciplined in 2008 for having an affair with one of his interns while he was an assemblyman representing western New York. In 2011, Cuomo appointed him to serve as senior vice president for regional economic development at the Empire State Development Corporation. Hoyt resigned in October amid the most recent accusations.

The letter published Monday, said that the commission "does not find Ms. Cater or any of her claims to be credible," and adds she was "evasive and unresponsive" and "uncooperative," which made it difficult for investigators, "to ascertain the nature of her complaint and its underlying facts."

Cater's attorney refuted the commission's claims. 

"Ms. Cater cooperated to the best extent possible; however, Ms. Cater felt a lack of confidence in the JCOPE process because they are far from an independent board," Paul Liggieri said. Cater will be able to find justice in federal court, he said. 

Walter McClure, a spokesman for JCOPE, declined to comment on the report, citing a state law that requires in most cases, for the commission's work to be confidential.