Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder (D-Queens) told several colleagues he was summoned to the governor’s office and berated by Cuomo’s director of state operations, Howard Glaser, for attempting to block the casino bill. Mr. Goldfeder along with several lawmakers were threatened, by Cuomo’s aides, that the governor would publicly humiliate them if they moved to block the legislation.

Goldfeder told fellow Dems that Glaser brought up the contributions he received from Genting New York, the operator of the Aqueduct racino in Queens, and implied the info would be used to tar him publicly.

When Goldfeder told Glaser the bill could hurt the state by excluding New York City from getting a full-blown casino for seven years, the Cuomo aide is said to have shot back: “Stop shilling for Genting. This is what the plan is, and you better get on board.”

Goldfeder did not comment when asked about the discussion. He did ultimately vote for the casino bill. The next step is a November public referendum.

A Cuomo aide said Glaser did not threaten Goldfeder but instead simply argued that the assemblyman didn’t need to be beholden to his donors, especially since the governor’s plan would mean more dollars for education.
Of course, it was Cuomo’s former chief of staff Steve Cohen who once told an aide to Connecticut Gov. Daniel Malloy that the Cuomo’s team operates at two speeds: “get along and kill.”

(The Daily News)