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ALBANY (N.Y.) — The state inspector general stated in a report that a New York trooper who was romantically involved with Andrew Cuomo’s daughter while serving as Democrat’s security detail during his tenure as governor should have been disciplined.
Friday’s watchdog report was released two years ago. It comes after the couple – as well as the trooper’s banishment from a post at the Canadian border– were the topic of newspapers headlines.
There was speculation that Cuomo personally had the trooper moved to a position about 150 km) north of Governor’s Mansion, because he was unhappy about their relationship.
Inspector General Lucy Lang’s report does not mention whether or not the governor asked for the trooper to be transferred.
A top Cuomo aide told the commander in chief of Cuomo’s security detail the story May 22, 2020, one day after the governor learned from his daughter. According to the inspector general’s reports,
The word of the relationship was passed on to Kevin Bruen who, although he was at that time the first deputy of state police, is now the superintendent. Bruen said to a coworker that the governor was “very upset .”
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The trooper Dane Pfeiffer told state police that Cuomo had been involved with Cuomo’s daughter about two months prior and that they never interacted physically while on duty. His actions were described as professional by him, but Bruen believed that Pfeiffer had been “compromised .”
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” You can’t have this kind of relationship with someone in that position,” Bruen informed the inspector general’s investigators. You might be at one particular assignment and there may be fire. If that happens, your loved one will run. Right. However, that is not your job .”
Bruen refused to discipline Pfeiffer in a formal manner for a consensual relation, but wanted him taken out of the protective services unit. Pfeiffer requested soon thereafter a transfer to the troop in northernmost New York. Pfeiffer stated to inspector general investigators that he did not want to travel but had been “voluntold to” change his assignments.
Although I signed up on paper, Pfeiffer stated that he didn’t intend to travel to the top and would never go back.
Pfeiffer promoted to sergeant on November 1st and was reportedly posted to New York City.
The inspector general report doesn’t conclude Cuomo committed any wrongdoing, but it does fault the state police for failing to follow their procedures following learning about the relationship.
The inspector general found that Pfeiffer had to be disciplined. According to the report, officers must not engage in activities that might “interfere” with the performance of their official duties .”
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The report stated that Bruen had decided to discipline Pfeiffer’s supervisor because he failed to inform superiors after learning of the relationship. Pfeiffer’s supervisor was a sergeant and chose to retire.
The New York State Troopers Police Benevolent Association stated that it was shocked and “appalled” at the decision to discipline the trooper.
The union said he had engaged in “off-duty conduct that was personal in nature and had nothing to do with his duties or responsibilities.”
State Police stated in an email statement that the protective services unit had been restructured in 2013. “We are already working closely with the Inspector General in order to make sure the recommendations are implemented .”
Cuomo quit a year back after a scandal of sexual harassment.
