Hochul calls FBI probe a hit job as Dem boss accused of trying to buy votes

Gov.Kathy Hochul brushes off a federal investigation into a Long Island Democratic Party boss accused of trying to buy votes as a “political hit job.”The governor, speaking to reporters in Midtown Manhattan on Friday, stood up for Suffolk County Democratic Party Chairman Rich Schaffer after The Post reported that he was being probed by the FBI over alleged strongarm tactics to secure his reelection.“Anything coming out of the Trump administration days before an election… is calculated as a political hit job,” the governor said — despite the fact the accusations against the boss coming from fellow Democrats.“I don’t believe you can presume what the feds are alleging is true — you need to know the context of who’s doing it, [and] what their record is of using their investigatory powers to harass political opponents,” she added. Though the governor admitted she didn’t know the details of the allegations against Schaffer or what allegedly transpired, she said she believes there is “a cloud” over the investigation.But when asked whether Schaffer’s alleged behavior was appropriate for an elected official, Hochul said she would “wait for the investigation” to review the findings and make a decision. The reactions to the governor’s remarks across the party were mixed, as some fellow Dem officials told The Post they were “disappointed” with Hochul’s classification of the investigation.Others, however, defended the governor and said she is simply not caught up to speed.“It was clear that she was caught off guard and hasn’t been briefed on the matter,” Leigh-Ann Bard, former longtime ally of Schaffer-turned-whistleblower, told The Post.

“I have full faith in [Attorney General Letitia James’] office and the FBI doing their due diligence,” Bard added.Schaffer, who has been the Suffolk County Dem party boss for over 26 years, was reelected to the top party post last month despite being hit with accusations that he tried to...