Hochul admits taking campaign contributions that violated her own executive order

ALBANY – Gov. Kathy Hochul is returning roughly $70,000 after facing heat for accepting illegal campaign funds from people on state panels — contributions her adversary, Elise Stefanik, slammed as “pay-to-play.”

Hochul’s reelection coffers have been flush with funds from at least eight people who serve on advisory groups and other policymaking panels, which was first reported by Gothamist — prompting her campaign to admit the misstep and scurry to give back the funds.

The contributions were illegal under an executive order reupped by Hochul, a Democrat, in 2021 that forbids state employees or officers – even those in unpaid roles on little-known government panels – from contributing to a gubernatorial campaign.

Republicans jumped on the opportunity to blast the gov.

“The Worst Governor in America [Kathy Hochul] is also the most corrupt,” GOP Rep. Stefanik, who is hoping to unseat her next year, posted to X.

“Hochul got busted in a pay-to-play scheme and only returned the campaign cash after the media exposed her.”

Some donors included Matthew Rand, who was appointed by then Gov. Andrew Cuomo to the state Board of Real Property Tax Services when he started donating to Hochul.

Rand, a real estate broker, was appointed to the Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council in June 2022 and proceeded to give Hochul’s campaign another $15,000.

Another was Mark Gregorio, CEO of elevator company, TEI, who was appointed by Hochul to the Elevator Safety and Standards Board in February 2022. Since then, Gregorio, along with his wife, and TEI have contributed $63,000 to Hochul’s campaign.

“For too long, New York has been run in backrooms with deals made behind closed doors,” Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado, who is challenging Hochul in a 2026 primary next year, posted in reaction to the improprieties.

“New York deserves a government that works for the people — not one that operates behind their backs,” he added.

A spokesperson for Hochul’s campaign confirmed the contributions were being returned, but declined to comment further.

While the governor’s campaign isn’t under threat of going bankrupt anytime soon – it reported over $17 million cash-on-hand as of July – the scandal is yet another example of the governor walking away from her early promises of good government and a “new era of transparency.”

Allies like Randi Weingarten, president of the powerful teachers union, flocked to Hochul’s defense.

“Governor Hochul has the highest ethical standards and is working day in and day out to put money back in families’ pockets,” Weingarten said in a statement.

“I’m proud to stand behind her.”