74 Trinity Place Suite 901 New York NY 10006 . 212.691.6421 212.807.1809 New York COMMON CAUSE Holdirtg Power Accountable October 4, 2013 Via Fax Governor Andrew M. Cuomo Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman The Executive Chamber 120 Broadway State Capitol New York, NY 10271 Albany, NY 12224 Dear Governor Cuomo and Attorney General Schneiderman, We have read the press reports of direct interference with the Moreland Commission on Public Corruption's investigations and subpoenas with alarm. When the Moreland Commission was announced we, along with many others, were pleased to hear the strong assurances from both of you that the Commission would be independent and that it would "follow the money" wherever the trail led, even if it meant investigating either of your campaigns. We publicly endorsed the Commission and its mission and vowed to use our expertise and research into campaign finance in New York State to assist the Commission. Since then, we have provided the Moreland Commission with extensive information about the failings and weaknesses in New York's campaign finance laws. We have pointed out not only possible illegal activity but have also provided extensive back-up regarding activities which Commission co-chair Fitzpatrick characterized at the most recent public hearing ofthe Commission as "You've got to be kidding me that this is legal.'' We have issued special reports with research tailored to assist the Commission in successfully fulfilling its stated mission and have in every way possible placed our expertise and experience at the service of the Commission and its staff. And we have publicly defended the Commission, emphasizing the seriousness with which we perceive it is approaching its charge. It is, therefore, disheartening and a matter of great concern to us to read reports that the Commission has been discouraged by the Governor from issuing all of the subpoenas which it believes are necessary to properly fulfill its multi--part mandate, allegedly because those subpoenas are addressed to the Democratic Party and to some of the Governor's large campaign contributors. Reports also indicate that the Commission may be receiving instructions to pull back or temper the preliminary recommendations that it will make on December 1. 21 (R) Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman October 4, 2013 Page 2 Such interference and micromanagement of the Commission's work and recommendations contradicts your own statements and representations to the people of New York in setting up the Commission on Public Corruption. New Yorkers are losing patience with the continuing culture of corruption in Albany and the continued indictment of their representatives. The Commission was established to help restore their faith in state government, not confirm their cynicism that the system will never change. To protect the Commission's independence and to publicly reinforce your commitment to its independence, we request that the Commission be provided immediately with a set budget and that its details be made fully transparent. We urge you to allow the Commission to fulfill its mission as it deems appropriate. To do anything less would be a disservice to the outstanding men and women you have appointed to the Commission and a shocking waste of the momentum for meaningful change which its appointment created. Sincerely, SUSAN LERNER Executive Director Common Cause New York cc: Mylan Dinerstein, Esq.(via email) Lawrence Schwartz (via email) Jeremy Creelan, Esq. (via email) Micah Lasher (via email) Kathleen Rice, Esq. (via fax) William J. Fitzpatrick, Esq. (via fax) Milton L. Williams, Esq. (via fax) Regina Calcaterra (via email) SL/jb