Monday, Dec. 15, 2025
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Dear New Yorkers,
In June, THE CITY reported that New York state taxpayers had already footed some $19 million to pay for former Governor Andrew Cuomo’s legal defense in multiple sexual harassment suits.
Now that bill has grown to more than $21 million, with a hefty $1.3 million coming from just one case alone, according to new figures released by the state comptroller.
Cuomo is legally entitled to have his defense covered under a law that provides for litigation expenses if state employees are accused of wrongdoing while serving, but the costs incurred by Cuomo’s defense dwarf all other cases.
Rich Azzopardi, a spokesperson for the former governor said, “There’s such a thing as defending yourself. This is America.”
One of Cuomo’s accusers, Lindsey Boylan, who is not pursuing litigation against the former governor herself, has nonetheless been roped back into legal wranglings.
Boylan told THE CITY, “The only reason that he’s able to continue to harass me is because New Yorkers are paying for it.”
“It never ends.”
Weather ⛅
Sun in the morning, then partly cloudy with a high near 29.
MTA 🚇
In Manhattan, at the Canal St. RW station, no transfers on the uptown platform during stair repairs. Find all the MTA’s planned changes and the latest delays here.
Alternate side parking 🚙
It’s suspended today, Dec. 15, due to snow.
By the way…
Here’s what to do when icy, snowy sidewalks aren’t shoveled.
Our Other Top Stories
- Manhattan public defender Eric Burse remembers the moment a panel of about 70 potential jurors filed into a Manhattan criminal courtroom. His client was Black, but as he scanned the group, there didn’t appear to be a single Black juror in the room. A state commission is taking aim at such lack of jury diversity, read more about their findings.
- THE CITY is partnering with Vital City, the journal that seeks to improve civic life in NYC by highlighting great ideas and innovative research, to bring their data analysis to our readers. Read the first installment in an ongoing collaboration; this one’s about what the numbers really tell us about the Raise the Age law and youth crime.
Reporter’s Notebook
Mamdani’s Day at the Museum
More than 140 New Yorkers sat down with Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani during a 12-hour listening session Sunday, hashing out ideas and concerns on childcare, small businesses, transportation, health care and more.
The event, held at the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria, ran from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. and was inspired by artist Marina Abramović’s “The Artist is Present.”
Ricky Qadeer, 41, was #19 in line and came armed with talking points from his wife, who was home with their two young children. The couple are native New Yorkers, and both work in health care but find the city increasingly unaffordable.
“Universal childcare would be a game changer across the spectrum,” he said after speaking with Mamdani, who he described as warm and engaged.
Incoming First Deputy Mayor Dean Fuleihan and Chief of Staff Elle Bisgaard-Church, along with transition team member Patrick Gaspard, also spoke with participants about their ideas for the city.
Mamdani is anticipated to make more administrative personnel announcements this week and will be sworn in on New Year’s Day.
—Katie Honan
Things To Do
Here are some free and low-cost things to do around the city this week.
- Monday, Dec. 15: Winter Haven — with an artisan market, wreathmaking workshops and more — is at Wave Hill in The Bronx every day through January 4, 2026.
- Monday, Dec. 15: Riverside Library in Manhattan is screening The Grinch (2018), voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch. Free, from 3:15 to 5:00 p.m.
- Monday, Dec. 15 to Sunday, Dec. 21: Brooklyn’s largest menorah lights up every night of Chanukah at Grand Army Plaza in Prospect Park. Lighting times vary, so check the schedule here.
THE KICKER: You can buy an ugly holiday sweater for your kid, celebrating a technology soon to expire forever.
Thanks, as always, for reading. Make it a great Monday.
Love,
THE CITY
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