Plugged In @ Hinman Straub

September 6, 2024

What’s Inside

  • Governor Appoints New Counsel
  • Hochul Staffer Charged as an Alleged Chinese Agent
  • Buffalo Mayor Offered Position of Western Regional OTB CEO
  • FBI Executes Search Warrants on Staffers of NYC Mayor
  • In the News
  • Coming Up

Governor Appoints New Counsel

Governor Kathy Hochul has appointed Brian K. Mahanna as Counsel to the Governor. Mr. Mahanna will succeed Liz Fine, who served in Governor Hochul’s administration since 2021. He will begin his tenure at the end of this month.

Mr. Mahanna previously served as Chief of Staff and Deputy Attorney General in the Office of the New York State Attorney General, where he was responsible for the office’s operations and served as the primary liaison to the Governor’s office, the state legislature, state agencies, and other attorney generals on multi-state investigations and litigation. He also supervised the Attorney General’s major civil, regulatory and criminal cases, investigations, legal positions and initiatives. He previously served as a Senior Adviser to former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and as Chief of Staff and Counsel to New York City’s Deputy Mayor for Operations, and as Policy Director for Mayor Bloomberg’s 2009 campaign.

Governor Hochul said:

As we work to make New York more affordable, more livable and safer, I’m excited to welcome Brian K. Mahanna to the Executive Chamber. Brian is a skilled legal mind with years of experience in government and private practice, and I’m confident he is the right leader for our Counsel’s office. As she finishes her tenure in the Chamber, I’m immensely grateful to Liz Fine for her three years of guidance and friendship as well as her lifelong commitment to public service.

Hochul Staffer Charged as an Alleged Chinese Agent

According to reports, Linda Sun, who worked for both Governor Kathy Hochul and her predecessor Governor Andrew Cuomo, was arrested for allegedly using her position to benefit the Chinese government.

FBI agents initially descended on Ms. Sun’s home on Long Island in July in an early morning raid. On Tuesday morning she was arrested with her husband and charged with 10 criminal counts that include visa fraud and money laundering. Both pleaded not guilty.

The biggest accusation in the indictment surrounds Ms. Sun allegedly serving as an illegal Chinese agent by blocking Taiwanese officials from having access to the governor’s office, eliminating references to Taiwan from state communications, and declining meetings between Taiwanese officials and state leaders, including Governor Hochul. These charges against Ms. Sun are the latest in the Justice Department’s initiative to stop efforts by the Chinese government to wield its influence.

Ms. Sun worked in state government for nearly 14 years, holding a variety of positions in the Cuomo and Hochul administrations, even serving as Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Hochul for a short period of time. She began her career as Chief of Staff to former Assemblywoman Grace Meng. She last served in a position at the New York Department of Labor, where she was terminated in March of 2023.

Avi Small, Press Secretary for Governor Hochul issued the following statement to the media:

This individual was hired by the Executive Chamber more than a decade ago. We terminated her employment in March of 2023 after discovering evidence of misconduct, immediately reported her actions to law enforcement and have assisted law enforcement throughout this process.

Buffalo Mayor Offered Position as Western Regional OTB CEO

On Thursday, Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown was picked by the Western Regional Off-Track Betting (WROTB) Board to serve as President and CEO of the corporation. In an emailed statement, Mayor Brown conveyed that he appreciated the vote of confidence in him and his record of success as Mayor of Buffalo.

However, a contract still needs to be negotiated between he and he WROTB Board before the position can be accepted. Mayor Brown told reporters that he looks forward to meeting with the chairman of the board to start the process toward final approval of a contract – and in the meantime, he will continue serving in his capacity as Mayor.

Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corp. oversees the operation of off-track betting sites, as well as Batavia Downs and its video gaming casino floor, hotel and live horse harness racing. Since the inception of WROTB in 1973, revenues from gaming operations have paid out more than $240 million to 15 counties, including Erie, Niagara, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Orleans, Wyoming and Genesee, as well as the cities of Buffalo and Rochester.

Mayor Brown is the longest serving Mayor in Buffalo’s history and the city’s first Black Mayor. He was first elected in 2005.

Read more about this developing story here.

FBI Executes Search Warrants on Staffers of NYC Mayor

On Wednesday, FBI agents searched the home and seized the phones of New York City Police Commissioner Edward Caban, First Deputy Mayors Sheena Wright and Philip Banks, and Schools Chancellor David Banks. According to reports, these actions were unrelated to a separate corruption inquiry that was focused on Mayor Eric Adams and his campaign fundraising. At this point, the nature of the investigations is unclear.

In The News

City & State NY’s weekly Winners and Losers of this week here.

Cuomo to testify to Congress on nursing home deaths during pandemic.

New York Democrats fear abortion-rights amendment is faltering.

How New York City is getting screwed out of $4.2 billion in state green bonds.

Solar CEO discusses changes to permitting that could help New York meet its energy goals.

As Another deadline approaches, there’s still no Seneca gaming deal.

Over bills left for Hochul to act on by the end of the year.

Hochul announces Buffalo has largest electrified bus depot in New York State.

NYSERDA president and CEO discusses nuclear power.

IPPNY president and CEO discusses new technologies and workforce from NY climate summit.

Suozzi embraces Democratic Party as he launches reelection bid.

NY Gov. Kathy Hochul doubles down on opposition to fracking – even after Kamala Harris said she backs it.

State Assembly candidate calls for investigation into Staten island politician’s trip to China.

Hochul urges national Red Flag law, assault weapons ban following Georgia shooting.

New York cannabis office launches tool to help growers meet state’s climate goals.

Senate Democrat pitches CDPAP compromise amid battle over home care.

Coming Up

The Boards of Regents will hold its next meeting on September 9 and 10.

The Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government will hold their next meeting on September 18.

The Public Service Commission will hold its next meeting on September 19.

The NYS Assembly and Senate will hold a joint public hearing to examine the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Program on September 17.

The NYS Assembly will hold a public hearing to examine the impact and effectiveness of economic development programs funded in the enacted 2024-25 State Budget on October 8.