Latest: Corruption and Money Laundering.

Corruption Currents: Feds Release Damning Emails in NY Bribery Case.

By John O'Brien | jobrien@syracuse.com 
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on September 22, 2016 at 3:15 PM, updated September 22, 2016 at 7:03 PM

against COR executives

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Steven Aiello, the president of COR Development gets into an awaiting car outside the Federal courthouse in Syracuse , New York, Sept. 22, 2016. Two owners of COR Development Co. face federal corruption charges in U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara's investigation into economic development projects in Upstate New York. Steve Aiello and Joseph Gerardi are accused of bribing a former top aide to Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Dennis Nett | dnett@syracuse.com

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- A slew of damaging emails appear to be at the heart of bribery chargesagainst the two founders of a Syracuse development company.

Federal prosecutors today disclosed the emails to and from Steven Aiello and Joseph Gerardi, founders of COR Development Co., as evidence that they paid $35,000 to Joseph Percoco, a former top aide to Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Aiello and Gerardi are accused of paying $35,000 in the bribes in exchange for Percoco using his influence to get their projects through, and to get a raise for Aiello's son, who was working in Cuomo's office.

Here are some of the emails:

Ziti time.
"Lay it on heavy, Herbie! Zitti herb! Zitti." This was an email from lobbyist Todd Howe to Percoco shortly before they met with Aiello on Jan. 15, 2014, at the governor's office. "Ziti" refers to bribe money, prosecutors say. "Herb" is Percoco's nickname...

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