New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, D-N.Y., said Thursday that Rep Chris Collins, R-N.Y., was unfit to serve in office even before he was indicted on federal insider trading charges on Wednesday.
During a press conference, Cuomo said, “I don’t think Congressman Collins was fit to represent western New York before the indictment,” the New York Daily News reports. “He consistently put his political affiliation ahead of the people of his district,” Cuomo continued.
The governor also claimed Collins would be charged with lying to the FBI. Cuomo did not call on him to resign, however, saying instead that it would be a choice left up to Collins.
Collins pleaded not guilty in a federal court Wednesday afternoon, paid a $500,000 personal recognizance bond, and surrendered his passport.
Collins publicly responded to the charges on Twitter, calling them false and said he will continue to work for his district as he fights to clear his name. So far, Collins hasn’t said if the controversy will impact his plans to run for re-election this year.
[Opinion: The indictment of Chris Collins is another stain on Trump’s reputation]
Today I addressed the false charges that are being brought against me. It’s an honor and a privilege to serve the people of #NY27 and I will continue to work hard for you every day as I fight to clear my name. https://t.co/9q363y6dfx
— Rep. Chris Collins (@RepChrisCollins) August 9, 2018
Collins, the first congressman to back Trump’s 2016 campaign, has a history of sparring with Cuomo, who condemned him for supporting GOP tax reform laws that he said would hurt New York.
At the time, Cuomo accused Collins of being a “Benedict Arnold” for voting for a bill that would “rape and pillage” the state’s economy, Politico reported earlier this year.
