Bochinche and Buzz: Exiting the administration as sh*t hits the fan

Reliable sources have told New York Slant that Linda Lacewell, the state’s chief risk officer, is leaving the Cuomo administration.

Lacewell, who was named just last June as the first person charged with overseeing an enterprise risk management system for state agencies and authorities, is widely considered a trusted insider of the Cuomo kingdom. Sources tell us Lacewell informed the governor of her decision just days before the Joe Percoco scandal broke.
While at least two sources have assured us that the former Brooklyn federal prosecutor's departure is in no way related to the current probes of Cuomo's inner circle, we think the timing is suspect, at best. The bochinche going around is that Lacewell may have received intel from her amigos from her old days as a prosecutor and that this info led to her decision to say adiós.

Lacewell, who also served as special counsel to Cuomo in the attorney general’s office, has continued in her advisory role as counselor to the governor and the architect of OpenNY, described by the Cuomo administration as "a state-of-the-art open data initiative."
Our sources were unable to confirm an end date for Lacewell as chief risk officer.

Who would replace Wright in Albany?

Now that Keith Wright has received Charlie Rangel’s coveted endorsement in the crowded race for New York’s 13th Congressional District, who will the Harlem assemblyman tap as successor for the 70th Assembly District seat he currently holds?

I posed the question to several Manhattan political insiders and the name that kept coming up was Inez Dickens. The New York City Councilwoman currently representing the 9th District is term-limited. She was among the few standing center stage at Rangel’s show of force for Wright last Saturday afternoon.

For those doubting Dickens’ chances, keep in mind that Señor Wright is chairman of the Manhattan Democratic County organization. Stay tuned.

Powell petitions to be challenged

The bochinche and buzz is that Adam Clayton Powell IV’s petitions will be challenged. And sources have assured New York Slant that Keith Wright is the candidate most likely to benefit from a removal of Powell from the congressional race ballot.

Several sources in at least two of the seven camps of candidates running for the 13th Congressional District seat tell us that Wright wants Powell's endorsement. "If Adam is out, he would most likely endorse Keith,” one source speculated. And that could make Powell a favorite for the county nod to replace term-limited Melissa Mark-Viverito in the 8th Council District.

"So much for the Great Brown Hope!"

That's what the person who forwarded the save-the-date for a fundraising reception being held for state Sen. Gustavo Rivera wrote at the top of the email to us.
The fundraiser for Rivera is scheduled for May 26, and New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito is listed as the person to join at the reception for Rivera.
The two-hour reception will take place at the 1 Central Park S. home of Renee Cafaro. With prices for co-host running at $2,500; sponsor at $1,000; supporter at $500 and attendee at $250, the person who sent us the info said: "Coño, that's a long way from Gustavo's Bronx base."