Hochul details recusal from matters dealing with Delaware North

ALBANY — Gov. Kathy Hochul released a document Thursday that spells out how she will recuse herself from any matter involving Delaware North, the casino operator that employs her husband.

Hochul also announced a series of measures she said will increase government transparency — including no longer routing routine information requests through the governor's office, a change from her predecessor, Andrew M. Cuomo, who had been criticized for a top-down approach to controlling information.

Hochul said in August, when she took over after Cuomo's resignation, that she would refrain from any issues involving Delaware North, the Buffalo-based company that not only deals in casinos but also food and beverage concessions, lodging and entertainment at many venues, especially sports arenas.

On Thursday, her administration released an ethics agreement Hochul signed, which says she wouldn’t participate in any matter involving the company, that her counsel would monitor the company’s lobbying and that her husband, William Hochul, would not be involved in any of the company’s business in or with New York State.

The company also agreed not to make any political contributions to Hochul’s reelection campaign.

The governor signed the agreement Wednesday, according to copies provided by her administration.

Her administration, in a statement, said the recusal agreement is "believed to be the first such disclosure for a sitting governor of New York."

"From Day One, I've been committed to restoring New Yorkers' faith in their government by improving transparency and increasing accountability," Hochul said.

The administration also released similar recusal agreements involving Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin and NextPoint Acquisitions, a lending company in which he formerly held a position and still owns stock, and Karen Keogh, Hochul’s counsel, whose husband is a director at Bolton St. John’s, a high-level lobbying firm.

Government watchdog groups have been urging Hochul to recuse herself from any matters involving the company. Some also have suggested that William Hochul, a former U.S. attorney in western New York, should leave the company.

Delaware North formerly operated Jake’s 58, the Long Island casino in Islandia, until selling it in May for $120 million to Suffolk County Off-Track Betting Corp.

Also, the company owns and operates Finger Lakes Racetrack, located south of Rochester, and a casino in Hamburg. Until July, it reportedly had a contract with the New York State Thruway Authority to operate travel plazas along the highway.

Hochul also announced changes in how the state will handle requests made through the Freedom of Information Law, which she said will expedite requests for documents.

Along with no longer routing requests through the governor's office — which critics have said led to long delays — Hochul said state agencies will pursue technology to speed up responses to information requests. Agencies also will be asked to identify and post online frequently requested items.

Reinvent Albany, a watchdog group that's been critical about state government transparency, said it liked every initiative Hochul announced.

"When it comes to transparent and ethical government, there are no magic wands, it's about continuous improvement," said John Kaehny, Reinvent Albany executive director. "Governor Hochul has put forth some sensible steps forward and we're glad to see it."