Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, now a mayoral candidate for New York City, has taken residence in a Midtown East luxury apartment on East 54th Street, which costs $8,242 a month. His move has sparked criticism from rivals who tag him as a newcomer trying to solve problems he contributed to during his tenure as governor, Gothamist reports.
Moreover, controversial photos of Cuomo with the late Yasser Arafat, former Palestine Liberation Organization leader, have resurfaced. Taken in 2000 during a three-day trip to Israel when Cuomo was the secretary for Housing and Urban Development under President Bill Clinton, these images are drawing attention in light of his mayoral bid, the New York Post uncovered. Critics suggest these meetings contradict his role as a supporter of Israel and, as the Jewish activist Dov Hikind put it, being seen with a “pure, unadulterated terrorist” like Arafat is unacceptable.
The apartment’s hefty rent and Cuomo’s residence there have been confirmed by Rich Azzopardi, the former governor’s spokesperson, who stated that Cuomo has been living there at least part-time for over a year. The building boasts amenities that suit Cuomo’s lifestyle, including a place to house his muscle cars. Despite the luxury living, many of Cuomo’s neighbors have expressed surprise at his presence in the building, with a retired nursery school teacher, Cheryl Schwartz, telling Gothamist that she’s seen Cuomo only a couple of times…