Ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo is rushing to the help of his brother-in-law’s sibling — by urging a federal judge to offer him a light-weight sentence for fraud.
The previous pol submitted a letter over the summer asking that Neil Cole — whose fashion magnate brother Kenneth is the husband of Cuomo’s sister, Maria — be given a slap on the wrist after being convicted of cooking the books at his high-profile fashion licensing business.
“I’m writing to share my perspectives on Neil and let you know of the repeatedly he has helped contribute to helping me govern and more essential making positive contributions to the world,” Cuomo wrote in his August leniency plea to Manhattan federal court Judge Edgardo Ramos, which was revealed this week in Crain’s Recent York Business.
Cuomo noted that he appointed Neil Cole to function a member of his Spending and Government Efficiency (SAGE) Commission a decade ago — and was also accompanied by him on missions to Israel.
“I started working with Neil during my first administration and appointed him to the Sage Commission. Here we did our greatest to assist streamline government, which was not a straightforward challenge. Over the following few years Neil was a part of two missions to Israel, meeting with the federal government and showing our support through the Hebrew University bombings and in addition through the Gaza War in the summertime of 2014,” he added.
Last yr, Neil Cole was convicted of securities fraud, tampering with audits, and issuing false filings to the Securities and Exchange Commission for his Iconix Brand Group, owns labels like London Fog, Joe Boxer and the Rocawear clothing brand created by Jay-Z.
His sentencing is on Oct. 10.
Cuomo also said Cole was “instrumental” in helping create the Women’s Equality Party ballot line when he sought re-election to a second term in 2014.
He said Cole was a CEO who showed “caring, empathy and kindness”, similar to helping reduce teen pregnancy and dealing with cancer charities at Mount Sinai hospital and elsewhere.
Neil Cole founded Iconix in 2005. It became a powerhouse, generating greater than $400 million in revenue, $100 million in earnings employing 150 staff, including his two sons.
The corporate was bought in 2021 by private equity firm Lancer Capital for $585 million.
Cuomo resigned as governor in August of 2021 under the specter of impeachment after a state investigative report outlined a slew of sexual misconduct allegations that he denies.
Kenneth Cole, in his own letter to the judge, said Neil has suffered enough, while noting his good deeds as a brother, dad and philanthropist.
“Sadly, Neil’s profession and private life have been suspended the last 7+ years through the course of those proceedings. He has lost the business he built and loved, and along together with his kids (who also lost their jobs,) have been forced to live under a shadow making it almost unimaginable to search out
alternative employment,” Kenneth Cole said..
“I respectfully suggest that he has already paid a major price for all that has happened: personally, financially, in addition to professionally.”
For his part, Cuomo is in search of to climb his way back to relevancy after resigning in disgrace. He hosts a weekly podcast and has upped his public appearances.