The fallout surrounding Gov. Paterson and allegations the embattled governor intervened when a woman accused one of his top aides of domestic violence has dealt a huge blow to him.
The woman was identified as 40-year-old hospital official and mother of two named Sherr-una Booker, multiple sources told The Post.
WOMAN AT CENTER OF SCANDAL INDENTIFIED
But Paterson tonight said he has no intention of suspending his reelection campaign, though he added that he will talk to key Democrats in coming days about the race.
In a day of fast-moving developments and reaction from across the political spectrum, Attorney General Andrew Cuomo told State Police Supt. Harry Corbitt to “stand down” from the probe ordered by Paterson into the alleged use of the State Police to intimidate Booker, who was seeking an order of protection against a top aide to the governor.
Paterson last night formally asked Cuomo and Corbitt to conduct probes of the State Police’s conduct – as well as the governor’s personal behavior – in relation to the matter. He said he called in Cuomo, a certain rival in the race for governor, because he wanted to “to ensure in the public’s mind that a comprehensive and independent inquiry has been conducted.’’
To that end, Cuomo’s office notified Corbitt that it expected him to “stand down’’ and “suspend” any investigation for fear that it would contaminate the attorney general’s probe.
Tonight, Paterson said again he would fully cooperate with Cuomo’s investigation.
The body blows to Paterson came quickly today.
His top criminal justice adviser resigned this afternoon in protest.
Deputy Secretary for Public Safety Denise E. O’Donnell made clear in a statement she felt the State Police hadn’t been honest with her about their involvement in the incident.
O’Donnell, who ran for Attorney General in 2006 and is believed to be preparing another run, said in a statement, “The fact that the Governor and members of the State Police have acknowledged direct contact with a woman who had filed for an order of protection against a senior member of the Governor’s staff is a very serious matter. These actions are unacceptable regardless of their intent.”
Longtime Long Island Congressman and fellow Democrat Rep. Steve Israel called on Paterson to suspend his reelection campaign.
“I think it’s become apparent that he should not seek election and should announce it soon,” Rep. Steve Israel told The Associated Press. “And sometimes friends have to speak unpleasant truths.”
Israel, said he reminded the governor that there is “life after Albany.” Israel declined to say what Paterson’s response was or share other details of the call. Paterson spokesman Peter Kauffmann declined to comment.
Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver called the allegations “horrific.”
“The allegation that individuals who have sworn to protect the public and uphold the law were utilized to deter a victim of domestic violence from seeking an order of protection is deeply disturbing,” Silver said. “I believe that this is an extremely serious matter that warrants an immediate investigation.”
Silver continued: “That investigation must address at whose direction and with whose knowledge members of the Governor’s security detail were acting when they contacted the victim, and whether or not any other government officials participated in or had knowledge of any effort to dissuade her from pressing charges or pursuing an order of protection.”
State Sen. Liz Kruger (D-Manhattan) said, “It’s a pretty dramatic thing to have happened. I’m not making any comment on the facts or what might go forward. I’m making a judgment on the facts. I’m fixated on how do we make sure we continue on our most urgent assignments in government. Our most urgent assignment is the horrendous economic times and the very very difficult budget decisions we must make. It struck me that one way to over constructive.
Archbishop Timothy Dolan told NY 1 that the stories about Paterson are having “a negative impact at a time when we need strong leadership.”
And Chris Cox, who’s running for Congress in Suffolk County and is the son of the state’s GOP chairman, called on Paterson to step down.
The comments stems from a Halloween 2009 argument between Paterson’s aide, David Johnson, and the woman, according to a police report.
She told police Johnson was angry about her costume, choked her and tried to rip the clothing from her body.
Johnson wasn’t present when police arrived. The call was treated as a second-degree harassment, a misdemeanor, rather than a higher charge of assault because police had no proof she was injured. A domestic violence report was issued, but no criminal charges were brought.
Paterson suspended Johnson without pay on Wednesday.
Johnson, 37, has worked for Paterson for more than a decade, beginning when Paterson was a state senator representing Manhattan’s Harlem neighborhood. Johnson began as an intern as part of Paterson’s effort to provide a second chance to youths with arrest records stemming from the crack epidemic in Harlem at the time.