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Preet Bharara on New York attorney general run: 'We'll see'

Speaking on his podcast, Bharara addressed speculation that he may throw his hat into the race to replace former Attorney General Eric Schneiderman,
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 15: Former U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara addresses new American citizens at a naturalization ceremony in the observatory of One World Trade Centeron August 15, 2017 in New York City (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

ALBANY - Former U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara on Thursday did not rule out the possibility of running for New York attorney general this fall, but did say he won't ask lawmakers to appoint him to the position.

Speaking on his podcast, Bharara addressed speculation that he may throw his hat into the race to replace former Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, who abruptly resigned this week after he was accused of physically assaulting four women.

Bharara, who brought charges against state legislative leaders and a top aide to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, confirmed he will not seek the state Legislature's approval to become interim attorney general to serve through the end of the year, saying it has the "look and feel of a backroom deal."

But he did not rule out running for the position in November, when it will be on the ballot for a full, four-year term.

"The question about what I’ll do with respect to the election in November, that’s for another day," Bharara said on the podcast, Stay Tuned. "Like I said, I think politics is not really for me, but it’s an important job, it’s an important time, so we’ll see."

MORE: Here's who could replace Attorney General Eric Schneiderman

Bharara railed against corruption in state government during his time as the lead federal prosecutor in New York's Southern District, which includes Manhattan and the Lower Hudson Valley.

An Obama appointee, he served in the role from 2009 through 2017, when he was fired by President Donald Trump's administration.

Corruption cases

Bharara's office brought corruption cases against former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, D-Manhattan; Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, R-Nassau County; and Joseph Percoco, Cuomo's former top aide, close personal friend and campaign manager.

All three cases resulted in guilty verdicts, though Skelos and Silver are being retried after a subsequent U.S. Supreme Court decision led to their cases being overturned.

Bharara's office also secured the conviction of former Senate Deputy Majority Thomas Libous, R-Binghamton, for lying to the FBI. Libous' conviction, however, was vacatedwhen he died in May 2016 while his case was on appeal.

Schneiderman, meanwhile, announced his resignation Monday, hours after The New Yorker published an article detailing allegations from four women who said Schneiderman slapped, choked, spat on or otherwise degraded them.

The former attorney general has said he "strongly contest(s)" the allegations and is facing a criminal investigation.

On his podcast, Bharara said lawmakers should keep Solicitor General Barbara Underwood in charge of the Attorney General's Office through the end of the year, calling her "eminently qualified" and "beyond reproach."

Underwood took over on an acting basis Tuesday.

Under state law, the Legislature appoints an attorney general to serve out the current term when there's a resignation in the office.

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, D-Bronx, announced Wednesday that he would be accepting resumes from prospective candidates through Friday and would hold public interview next week.

"This process would allow us the opportunity to recommend or select a well-qualified replacement, so that public uncertainty regarding who fills this important office will be resolved as soon as reasonably practical," Heastie wrote to legislative leaders.

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