NY Governor Hochul Fires Top Tech Official; Reasons Unclear
Dru Rai, Director of Information and Technology Services, was abruptly removed from his position after three years.
ALBANY, N.Y. – New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has abruptly fired the state’s top technology official, Dru Rai, the director of Information and Technology Services (ITS). The administration confirmed Rai’s removal, which occurred after three years in the role, but provided no specific reasons for the decision.
"The administration has informed Dru Rai that the Governor no longer has confidence in his ability to effectively represent this administration and he was removed from his position," said Kara Cumoletti, a spokesperson for Hochul. "Governor Hochul remains committed to holding employees to the highest leadership and ethical standards, and ITS will continue to deliver technology solutions and services for New Yorkers, our agencies and partners."
Rai's firing was first reported by the publication Government Technology. The removal came shortly before Hochul announced new regulations for artificial intelligence models, which are set to take effect next year. Rai's responsibilities at ITS included overseeing the state's "ongoing digital transformation" and enhancing digital interactions between state government and residents. His official biography on the ITS website has since been removed.
Jenson Jacob has been appointed as the acting director of ITS.
Rai's predecessor, Rajiv Rao, was dismissed by Hochul in 2023. Rao later settled with the state Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government, admitting to ethics violations related to awarding a contract to a friend's firm and procuring a state-issued cell phone that bypassed security protocols. Sandra Beattie, a former budget director, also settled ethics violation claims in July concerning the same matter.