Former top aide to Governor Andrew Cuomo–James Percoco–has been found guilty on 3 counts of Bribery, Extortion, and Corruption. He was found not guilty on three counts. Jurors in the eight week trial in Manhattan were deadlocked multiple times before finally reaching a verdict on the charges. In each case, the judge sent the jury back for further deliberation. Percoco was alleged to have sold influence in the Cuomo administration, including a $90,000 no show job for his wife. A key witness in the case was arrested mid-trial for violating his cooperation agreement with prosecutors. Three others were also included in the trial. Attorney Joseph Girardi was found not guilty on three charges. Steven Aiello, founder of COR Development, was found guilty on one count and not guilty on two other. The jury could not reach a verdict on the charges against Peter Kelly, Jr., of Hudson Valley Competitive Power.Percoco will be sentenced in June.
