On September 18, 2015,
the New York Post reported that US Attorney Preet Bharara was investigating Governor Andrew Cuomo's Buffalo Billion economic development initiative:
“It’s a comprehensive look at the bidding process,” the source said.
“They’re looking at communications between contractors and state officials.”
In December 2014,
Investigative Post, a journalism organization based in Buffalo,
reported that the non-profit entity created to develop Buffalo Billion projects was refusing to answer Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) requests for documents related to the selection and pay of contractors.
Investigative Post reported that the solicitation for the largest project – the construction of a $750 million factory for SolarCity – required contractors be limited to those based in Buffalo and that have been in business for at least 50 years. This requirement limited respondents to one company – LPCiminelli.
Though the Fort Schuyler Management Corp, the development entity that stonewalled
Investigative Post, said the 50 year requirement was a mistake and corrected it to 15 years, LPCiminelli was still selected for the project.
Investigative Post also noted that LP Ciminelli President Louis Ciminelli donated $96,500 to Cuomo's two gubernatorial campaigns.