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People driven out of Albany amid scandal or criminal investigation have often turned to their campaign coffers to cover legal fees, though campaign finance attorneys said there were limits to the practice.

Mr. Schneiderman, for example, has had continuing legal issues and has kept paying law firms out of his campaign account, including $200,000 paid in the most recent filing. He has also made large contributions to nonprofit groups from his campaign account, including those focused on gender equity and immigrant rights.

Mr. Cuomo has already used his campaign money to defend himself against legal threats and in the court of public opinion: Rita Glavin, his personal lawyer who spoke before his resignation speech and has regularly appeared on television defending him, received $285,000 for her firm, according to the Cuomo campaign’s most recent filing, which covers a period through early July. She most likely received further payments; new filings are not due until early next year.

More of an open question is whether Mr. Cuomo could use that money to pay for lawyers representing other members of his administration, or to reach settlements with the women who have accused him of harassment — and, in one case, groping — or to defend himself against any possible criminal charges in connection with his personal conduct, campaign finance experts said.

“The law is very complicated on issues that should not be so complicated,” said Laurence D. Laufer, a campaign finance lawyer. “The statute really allows for a broad use of campaign funds for legal expenses that relate to the campaign or to public office or party position.”