IG report: Trooper who dated Cuomo daughter should have been disciplined

A state trooper who became romantically involved with one of ex-Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo’s daughters while serving on the governor’s security detail should have been disciplined, according to an inspector general’s report critical of how State Police handled the matter.

In a 33-page report issued Friday, Inspector General Lucy Lang said State Police brass failed to follow proper procedures upon learning in May 2020 that Trooper Dane Pfeiffer was involved with Cara Kennedy-Cuomo, one of the former governor’s three daughters.

State Police failed to notify the inspector general's office about the probe, improperly maintained statements it gathered, failed to complete an investigatory report and made no real attempt to learn if Pfeiffer was communicating with Kennedy-Cuomo on state time, Lang said.

She said her office never would have become aware of the case if not for a grievance filed by the troopers’ union.

Further, she disagreed with a decision at the time by Kevin Bruen — then a top deputy but now the head of State Police — to transfer Pfeiffer far away from the protective services unit but not to further discipline him for violating State Police conduct rules.

“The Inspector General does not agree with Bruen’s conclusion that Pfeiffer’s conduct did not constitute a violation of State Police rules warranting the initiation of formal disciplinary proceedings,” Lang wrote.

Pfeiffer was part of a special unit providing protection for the governor and his family, including security at the Executive Mansion. On May 22, 2020, Melissa DeRosa, Cuomo’s top adviser, notified the head of the unit after learning about the relationship from Kennedy-Cuomo, the report said.

Soon after, Pfeiffer was transferred to a unit near the Canadian border.

The report details no wrongdoing on Cuomo’s part, although it says the governor was “very upset” upon learning about the relationship.

Bruen, in an interview with the inspector general, said it was clear Pfeiffer had to leave the security detail but he decided to “cut him a break” in not pursuing disciplinary charges.

“Basically, it came down to this kid was in love with the girl. And I cut him a break … It was an ill fit for discipline,” Bruen said, according to the report.

Pfieffer said he was “voluntold” to put in for the transfer to a Plattsburgh unit some 145 miles from his home in Saratoga County.

“On paper I volunteered, but no, I don’t want to go up there, never want to go there again,” Pfeiffer told inspector general investigators. Pfeiffer since has been transferred to New York City in 2021 after passing a sergeant’s exam.

Bruen said he could have pursued charges against Pfeiffer’s supervisor, a sergeant with 29 years’ service, for failing to notify higher-ups sooner about the affair. But the sergeant — who said he didn’t want to disclose the relationship before the governor’s daughter did so — retired within days of the affair coming to light.

In a statement Friday, State Police said it already has overhauled the protective services unit and begun implementing other recommendations by the inspector general.

By Yancey Roy

yancey.roy@newsday.com@yanceyroy