Cuomo says he’s unaware of federal probe in Buffalo project

Several firms have been issued subpoenas, including documents that were sought from the SUNY Polytechnic Institute, the Albany-based college that has spread its high-tech initiatives into Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and Utica.

Governor Andrew Cuomo spoke after he was presented with the Buffalo Billion Investment Development Pan by the Western New York Regional economic Development Council at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center, Tuesday, December 4, 2012.

A source familiar with the probe told The Post that investigators are particularly interested in an obscure not-for-profit arm of SUNY, the Fort Schuyler Management Corp., which reviewed the bids and awarded the contracts under the Buffalo Billion program.

The state has also kept private some records detailing the contracts, the report – which was published by Gannett newspapers in New York – said.

The Post notes that Bharara’s investigation is infringing on the jurisdiction of U.S. Attorney William Hochul, whose wife, Kathy, is the lieutenant governor.

Much attention has been paid to the selection of Buffalo developer LP Ciminelli to develop two of the three major projects, including construction of a $750 million solar-panel factory along the Buffalo River.

SUNY Poly spokesman Jerry Gretzinger said in a written statement Friday afternoon, “To our knowledge, neither SUNY Poly nor any of its employees are the target of any investigation”, a description that would include Kaloyeros, who has become a key player in Cuomo’s economic development efforts throughout upstate.

“Buffalo was the most pessimistic community about their economic future five years ago”, said Cuomo.

There was no immediate comment from the U.S. Attorney’s Southern District office in Manhattan.

The Post is reporting that Manhattan US Attorney Preet Bharara’s office is looking into the bidding process for those projects and communication between contractors and state officials. A social media get in touch with for Governor Cuomo also said they’d do not have a make an observation.

SUNY Polytechnic Institute President and CEO Alain Kaloyeros calls…

SUNY’s central administration declined to comment.