New York governor Cuomo's COVID book deal was worth than $5 million

[May 18, 2021]    (Reuters) - New York Governor Andrew Cuomo's contract with publishers for his book about dealing with the coronavirus pandemic was worth $5 million, according to tax documents released by his office to the media on Monday.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo holds a protective mask as he speaks while making an announcement at a news conference from the stage at Radio City Music Hall in Manhattan in New York City, New York, U.S., May 17, 2021. REUTERS/Mike Segar/File Photo

Cuomo was initially lauded for his handling of a crippling coronavirus outbreak in New York, but praise turned to blame when media reported allegations of misconduct, including the under-reporting of nursing home deaths.

He is also being investigated for alleged sexual harassment. The governor has denied any wrongdoing and said he was sorry if his behavior had made "people feel uncomfortable."

Cuomo's book, "American Crisis: Leadership Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic", was published in October 2020 by The Crown Publishing Group, a subsidiary of Penguin Random House.

According to the documents, the group paid him $3.12 last year, and will pay him the remainder in two installments worth around $2 million each in 2021 and 2022.

The Wall Street Journal reported late in March that the New York state attorney general's office had subpoenaed dozens of officials in Cuomo's administration as part of the probe into sexual harassment accusations.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Bengaluru; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky)

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