AG Andrew Cuomo is well known for going some distance to dodge questions about his ambitions for higher office. But the spectacle witnessed today by two reporters seemed to exceed even Cuomo’s impressive record, NY1′s Josh Robin reports.

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It happened at a closed-press fundraiser at the Hilton hotel in midtown. Following a well-known tradition for politicians raising cash, Cuomo avoided a small media gaggle by entering through a back entrance.

Dashed in their quest to get him going in and still hungry for a quick sound-bite, reporters then exited the Hilton in search of the Attorney General’s car, and set up a sidewalk stakeout – a routine practice in political journalism.

Amid the lines of similarly tinted SUV and livery cabs, one detail made spotting Cuomo’s ride particularly easy: upon seeing the press, the driver, apparently a plainclothes state trooper or city police officer, started speaking animatedly into his sleeve and then closed up his window.

The reporters were soon joined by Alexis Grenell, a member of Cuomo’s political media team for his all-but-declared run for governor. It seemed that Cuomo was about to approach the car. At one point, Grenell even had asked reporters what questions would be asked of the attorney general. She said she believed Cuomo would be arriving soon.

The officer in the car then rolled down his window and told Grenell he was under orders to briefly move and make way for other police officers. He told her he would return – and implored her not to leave. He left and never returned. Grenell denied any bait and switch.

But sure enough, her phone soon chirped with the news, which she promptly reported: Cuomo had left the premises – with his latest media dodge complete.

A Cuomo spokesman later said: “This was always a private event. We regret the misunderstanding.”

(Robin Tweets! You can follow him @JoshRobin).

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