Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Cuomo rejected Carl Paladino's claims that he has accepted bribes and been involved in extortion yesterday.

The GOP candidate made the allegations this week during an exclusive interview with News 12.

Cuomo roundly dismissed the claims as nothing more than the ranting of a madman. He also replied with an accusation of his own, saying Paladino was trying to distract voters from the real issues and the uproar surrounding Paladino's controversial statements regarding homosexuals.

News 12 HV Vote 2010: Complete CoverageGubernatorial hopeful Paladino sits down for exclusive interviewComplete exclusive News 12 interview with Carl Paladino