Probe Clouds Star Turn For Auto Negotiator Rattner

In the months since his name first surfaced in connection with the probe, he hasn't done interviews on the subject. He declined an interview request for this story.

Ultimately, if the cases against Loglisci and Morris go to trial, Rattner could wind up being called as a witness to explain just what he was up to when he extended a helping hand to "Chooch," and took other actions to drum up pension fund business.

Legal experts say payments to politically connected "finders" like Morris are not necessarily illegal, or even inappropriate.

"Paying a former politician, or someone close to politicians, to set up a meeting or help you sell services, in of itself does not present a criminal problem," said Michael Schwartz, a former federal anti-corruption prosecutor in Philadelphia.

The film deal, though, presents a different issue, he said.

"Really, this is an indirect payment to the public official," said Schwartz. "A public official cannot have a concealed financial relationship with someone who is doing business before them."

Cuomo's office has looked at the transaction for nearly two years, but so far has held off bringing charges against most of the financiers who invested in the movie, or most of those that paid millions of dollars in fees to Morris.