An early target was a Republican, Essex County executive James Treffinger, who would be sentenced to 41 months in prison for covering up the awarding of contracts in return for campaign contributions and paying campaign workers with taxpayer funds.

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Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano, a Republican who worked with Mr. Cuomo on the storm response, said the governor worked with local officials to "cut bureaucracy" and deal with the U.S. government.

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