The Cuomo administration wanted Todd Howe — the corrupt lobbyist at the center of the Buffalo Billion trial playing out in Manhattan federal court — to act as its “eyes and ears” in keeping tabs on one of the defendants, it emerged in court on Wednesday.

Howe, who is now in prison for bribery, went to work for ex-SUNY Polytechnic Institute chief Alain Kaloyeros at the request of the governor’s office, according to witness David Doyle, a former spokesman for the college.

Howe has pleaded guilty in the case as well as to a separate bribery scheme involving ex-Cuomo aide Joe Percoco, who was convicted earlier this year.