Hochul’s hubby collects nearly $200K from gaming giant that cased in on $18M tax break

New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s husband, Bill, received nearly $200,000 in deferred compensation from his former employer, Delaware North, after Hochul lifted her recusal from matters involving the company. The payments have prompted calls from good-government advocates for an ethics investigation, because a 2023 memo said he would have no further financial connection to the firm.

The gaming and hospitality company received an $18 million state tax break approved in May. State records show Delaware North lobbied Hochul’s office and other officials over the break, while its owners gave $170,000 to Hochul’s re-election campaign and the company later donated $2,500 to her campaign. Hochul’s spokeswoman said the payments were earned before Bill Hochul left the company and came from a deferred compensation plan; the state ethics commission declined to discuss any potential investigation.