Mayor Bill de Blasio speaks out about Moreland Commission controversy

NEW YORK (WABC) -- Wednesday, the mayor finally weighed in the whole Moreland Commission controversy, and he defended the governor, amid allegations Cuomo set up an anti-corruption commission and then disbanded it when it got too close to his people.

"I can tell you something about Andrew Cuomo. I've known him for almost 20 years. I think he is a person of high integrity," Mayor de Blasio said.

And then unprompted, the mayor went after Cuomo's Republican opponent and fellow-Italian-American Rob Astorino for using an Italian stereotype.

"I was personally very offended by the comments of Mr. Astorino when he described the governor as a quote-unquote 'mafia boss.' I thought that was inappropriate in every way," de Blasio said, "I found it particularly inappropriate as an Italian-American."

"First of all, I believe Andrew Cuomo has broken the law," Astorino said.

Astorino kept up his attacks on Cuomo, claiming the governor broke the law when he disbanded the Moreland Commission without forwarding any findings to the proper authorities.

"Did he follow state law and hand over everything to the state police? If he didn't then he's in violation and he's breaking state law," Astorino said.

"Well that's entertaining," Governor Cuomo said.

Cuomo almost laughed at Astorino's attack on whether any possible criminal wrong-doing was covered up by commission findings not being sent to the right people.

"I've never heard that theory, but in any event there were all, the commission is made up of prosecutors, right," Cuomo said.