ALBANY — Gov. Cuomo’s campaign is calling on Republican opponent Rob Astorino to release the last five years of his tax returns.
In a memo obtained by the Daily News, the Cuomo campaign says Astorino has never publicly released his returns despite having entered the race six months ago and having served as Westchester County executive for five years.
“The release of income tax returns is a longstanding practice for statewide candidates in New York,” the memo says, citing politicians who have done it, including Cuomo; his father, Mario; Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand; and Republican George Pataki.
Astorino has not previously released his tax returns, but he has filed financial disclosure forms with Westchester County that shows he has had outside income as a consultant to Connecticut-based Townsquare Media. The statement didn’t disclose his exact salary, but Astorino told the Daily News in July that it was $30,000 last year on top of his $160,000 salary as county executive.
The Cuomo campaign says the tax returns could shed more light on his financial situation, including his side job and whether there are potential conflicts with his county position.
Astorino spokeswoman Jessica Proud said he would have no problem releasing his latest tax return, but would not commit on previous years.
