Mr. Cuomo, who resigned in disgrace, remains politically alienated and still faces federal and state inquiries into other aspects of his conduct as governor, including over his book. But people who have known him for years expect the moment to embolden him, even as many in his party have no interest in opening another Cuomo chapter, or revisiting the last one.

“He will see it as a victory lap,” said Karen Hinton, a veteran communications strategist who was a consultant to Mr. Cuomo when he was federal housing secretary. Ms. Hinton has said he touched her inappropriately at the time, which his team denied. She expressed concerns around the decisions against prosecution.

“​​I believe he thinks that will help propel him back to the political arena,” she said. “That’s the Andrew Cuomo I know.”