Earlier this morning, Republican gubernatorial designee Rick Lazio called on AG Andrew Cuomo to investigate the developers of the Cordoba Mosque, which is set to be built in lower Manhattan despite widespread criticism.

Lazio pointed to several NY Post articles, here, here, suggesting there was enough evidence to have the AG conduct an investigation into the mosque, which is a legally registered charitable organization.

While at a news conference in the Manhattan on pension padding, the Democratic candidate for governor dismissed the calls for an investigation, saying he knew of no criminal action by the mosque.

But, Cuomo did seize on the question as an opportunity to defend freedom of religion.

“If there is a criminal case, then there is a criminal case,” the AG said.

“But, if this is: I don’t like this religion, and I don’t like this religion on this block. Or: I don’t like this religion in this city. Then I agree with Mayor Bloomberg. Then I agree with the community board that approved the mosque.”

“What are we about, if not religious freedom? What is the country about if not religious freedom? What is this state about if not religious freedom? Well, religious freedom except I don’t like this religion. But then, there might be another government, and they won’t like Catholicism, or they won’t like Judaism, or they won’t like Christianity, then what?”

Here is the letter from Lazio to Cuomo.

The Honorable Andrew Cuomo
Office of the Attorney General
The Capitol
Albany, NY 12224-0341

Dear Attorney General Cuomo,

I am writing on behalf of the people of New York who share my concerns for their personal security and safety with respect to the construction of the Cordoba Mosque in lower Manhattan. Recent press reports have highlighted the following troublesome issues:

• The Imam in charge of the construction refused to acknowledge that Hamas is a terrorist organization. (New York Post, 6/19/10)

• The Imam of the project is a “key figure” of Perdana Global, the single largest funder of the flotilla that tried to break the blockade of Gaza by Israeli defense forces. (New York Post, 6/5/10)

• The questionable background of the funding sources for the construction of the Mosque. (New York Post, 5/25/10)

Given that the Cordoba Initiative is a legally registered charitable organization with the New York Attorney General’s Office, my fellow New Yorkers and I are asking you to immediately conduct a thorough investigation of the previous items highlighted by the media with respect to the construction of this Mosque in lower Manhattan. The people have the right to know if this “charity” is using its resources in a legitimate, legal, and charitable way.

New Yorkers were shocked and appalled at the silence of our state law enforcement officials when the Obama Administration decided to stage a civilian trial of admitted terrorist Khalid Sheikh Mohammed in lower Manhattan. We hope that we can depend on our state officials for more competent leadership with respect to this extremely sensitive matter.
I and the people of New York await your rapid and full response.

Sincerely,
Rick Lazio

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