Two of New York’s top statewide Democratic office holders dodged questions yesterday on whether they would attend the 80th-birthday fund-raiser for Rep. Charles Rangel, who is facing ethics charges.
Both Sen. Charles Schumer and state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo declined to say whether they would show up for the bash at The Plaza hotel — even though they’re listed as members of the event’s host committee.
Schumer repeatedly refused to answer when asked by The Post to give a “yes” or “no” answer about whether he’s going on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, a spokesman for Cuomo — who has made a commitment to the highest ethics a centerpiece of his campaign for governor — gave The Post an eyebrow-raising statement that insisted no decision has yet been made on whether he’ll show.
“The attorney general hasn’t figured out his schedule that far in advance,” said the spokesman — even though the event is just six days away.
The spokesman also noted, “The attorney general never said he was going.” However, Cuomo is listed as one of the chief sponsors of the fund-raising event.
A Rangel campaign source said neither Schumer nor Cuomo have told the Harlem congressman they were backing out of the fund-raiser.
While Cuomo has made ethics reform a key platform in his campaign, he has angered some black leaders for not having a minority as his running mate or elsewhere on the slate of statewide candidates.
Some analysts said Rangel’s alleged misdeeds have put Democrats in a bind.
“Schumer and Cuomo are probably embarrassed and offended by Rangel’s offenses,” said University of Virginia professor Larry Sabato.
“It’s really hard to defend going to the fund-raiser. You’re just going to give your opponent a club to hit you over the head with.”
Most other politicos on the host committee said they’re sticking by Rangel. Gov. Paterson, listed as master of ceremonies, will attend.
So will Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, city Comptroller John Liu, Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, state Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and City Council Speaker Christine Quinn.
But Mayor Bloomberg’s office declined comment on whether he would attend.
And Rep. Eliot Engel (D-Bronx) became the third congressman to confirm he was skipping the party.
A two-year House ethics probe found a “pattern” of rule-breaking by Rangel, including a failure to report $1.7 million in personal assets over the years, not paying taxes in income from a Dominican villa, and using his office to raise money for a center named for himself at CCNY.