Cuomo crony negotiating possible plea deal in bribery case

By Bruce Golding and Priscilla DeGregory October 25, 2016 | 3:07pm | Updated

A former top aide to Gov. Andrew Cuomo is negotiating a possible plea deal in his bribery and extortion case, according to court papers made public Tuesday.

Joseph Percoco — whom Cuomo once likened to the “third son” of his late dad, ex-Gov. Mario Cuomo — was supposed to appear in court Monday with five of seven co-defendants.

But the hearing was postponed so lawyers for Percoco, now an exec with Madison Square Garden, and the others can pursue talks with the feds, court papers say.

“Counsel for the defendants and counsel for the Government have had discussions regarding possible dispositions in this case, continuing as recently as on or about [Friday],” Assistant US Attorney Janis Echenberg wrote.

“The negotiations have not been completed and we plan to continue our discussions, but do not anticipate a resolution before the deadline under the Speedy Trial Act expires.”

Manhattan federal Magistrate Judge Kevin Fox gave both sides until Nov. 23 to hammer out a deal.

The order specifically granted the delay so the feds could “engage in further discussions with counsel about the disposition of this case.”

Fox also noted that “each of the defendants, through counsel, has consented that such a continuance may be granted for that purpose.”

Percoco’s lawyer, Barry Bohrer, said: “Any suggestion that Mr. Percoco is negotiating a possible plea deal is unfounded. … There have been no such discussions.”

MSG declined to comment.

http://nypost.com/2016/10/25/cuomo-crony-negotiating-possible-plea-deal-in-bribery-case/

Michael Benjamin
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