Paterson Investigators Dig Up More Dirt

Gov. David Paterson leaving the Capitol in Albany yesterday. (AP/Mike Groll)

Sources tell the Times that investigators have obtained more explicit details regarding recent allegations that Governor Paterson tried to pressure an ex-girlfriend of his top aide into dropping legal action after he allegedly assaulted her. Yesterday the Times reported that besides personally speaking with the accuser, Sherr-una Booker, and having the State Police repeatedly contact her, Paterson also allegedly instructed his press secretary and another state employee, Deneane Brown, to try and hush the woman. Now sources say Brown, who was close friends with Booker, has told investigators that Paterson ordered her to express this message to Booker: "Tell her the governor wants her to make this go away." (A day after speaking with Paterson, Booker essentially went away.)

Paterson denies telling Brown to "make this go away" and yesterday spent the day sequestered in the Executive Mansion with top state Democrats, telling his side of the story, which is that he only contacted Booker because she reached out to him to complain that she was being pestered by NY Times reporters. "There's a misconception, as [Paterson] sees it," State Democratic chairman Jay Jacobs told the press. "From his perspective, it's [his side of the story] got validity. He's got to get that out and let it be judged. I made the point that there shouldn't be any more shoes to drop, and he said there would not be."

In an editorial today, the Times declared that Paterson "has failed to account for his actions. If he can show that he did no wrong, he must do so fully and immediately. If not, he should resign." And now Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, who, as you may recall, was appointed by Paterson, has joined the chorus calling for his head. "At the end of the day, if the allegations of abuse of power are true, then the governor will be unable to govern and he will have to step down," Gillibrand told NY1. "Domestic violence and abuse of power have no place in our society, and certainly no place in our government."

Those present at yesterday's Paterson pow-pow described the mood as sober, yet desperate. One source tells the Post, "It had a tragic quality to it. In his own unique way, he was begging to survive."

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By John Del Signore in News on March 3, 2010 11:03 AM

Comments [rss]

wingedearth

Paterson ought to follow the path of his predecessor and resign.

Spirit of 76

No more shoes to drop? Riiight. I bet Paterson will put Imelda Marcos to shame.

cleanupnynow

The more and more I read of the transgressions by David Paterson and his staff, especially Harry Corbitt - the cover-ups, the obstruction of justice, the blatant lies - the more and more I wish Eliot Spitzer would have read “The Democratic Conference Organizational and Structural Report”.

http://www.politico.com/static/PPM110_demreportfinal.html

This scathing report indicated that Paterson’s New York State Senate Minority office, headed by the highly inept Michael Jones-Bey, was completely dysfunctional. The unqualified and disinterested Mr. Jones-Bey, a childhood friend of Paterson, who is now incredulously Director of Division of Minority & Women's Business Development at New York State’s Empire State Development Corporation, was reported to be more interested in partying and boozing up with staff than working.

Looks like Mr. Jones Bey is just as dysfunctional as his boss.

GET HIM AND THEM OUT NOW.

cleanupnynow

David Paterson simply has to RESIGN.

David Paterson has engaged in a GROSS ABUSE of office. Specifically, David Paterson tried to cover up the violent assault conducted by Mr. Dave Johnson, his top aide, upon Mrs. Sherr-una Booker.

More disturbingly, David Paterson also UNLAWFULLY intervened to protect Mr. Johnson from accusations of domestic violence by ordering the state police to deter Mr. Booker from going to court.

These actions are incredibly disturbing. They are more amazing coming from a governor who has made domestic abuse a signature issue for him. On top of this, it is reported that Mr. Paterson took these steps so that he could make the incident go away.

Make it go away - is David Paterson for real?

When will this clown ever realize that promoting and putting non-qualified friends and ex-girlfriends and gal pals - David Johnson, Clammier Harris, Michael Jones-Bey, Gabrielle Turner, Indira Noel, Harry Corbitt - on the state payroll is just not the right thing to do?

For too long David Paterson has been covering up for himself and his aide’s transgressions. Fortunately they and he have been exposed for what they are – at best useless incompetent hacks, at worst CRIMINALS.