Sources: Hochul likely to tap public authorities watchdog head as her counsel

Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul is expected to select state Authorities Budget Office Director Jeff Pearlman as her counsel, according to two sources familiar with the process.

A spokesperson for Hochul said Pearlman is currently serving as special counsel to the lieutenant governor, but did not directly address what role he might have, if any, in the new administration. Pearlman, who was recently reappointed to his post as the head watchdog for public authorities in New York, did not immediately respond to questions.

During Hochul’s press conference on Wednesday in the Blue Room at the Capitol, Pearlman was present trying to help wrangle the packed room of reporters who were intermittently shouting questions at the lieutenant governor whenever there were any breaks in the action.

Pearlman took over the ABO in 2016, but before that he served as Hochul’s chief of staff and counsel for more than a year, according to his Linkedin page.  He also spent time working as assistant counsel for Gov. David Paterson and worked for the Senate Democrats before that.

We spoke with Pearlman back in May about legislative efforts to strengthen the ABO and his future with the office.