Former Gov. David Paterson’s ex-top aide who allegedly beat his girlfriend pleaded guilty this morning to a violation of second-degree harassment, admitting to a judge that he shoved his ex-girlfriend during a heated fight.
The 6-foot-7 David Johnson appeared in Bronx Criminal Court where he made the plea, which carries no jail time.
If he stays out of trouble for a year, the violation will be removed from Johnson’s record.
“I got into an argument … it got loud. We were both upset and I shoved her with the intent to harass or alarm her,” Johnson told a judge. “I realize my conduct was inappropriate and I deeply regret my actions.”
Johnson’s ex-gal pal Sherr-una Booker has said that Paterson’s former aide choked her, ripped off her clothes and threatened to kill her on Oct. 31, 2009, after she refused to change out of Halloween lingerie before going out.
“I’ll f–king kill you before I let you go anywhere!” Johnson allegedly screamed at Booker.
Booker said then-Gov. Paterson later pressured her not to file charges against Johnson.
Johnson’s lawyer Oscar Michelen said his client has been vindicated.
“After 18 months of scrutiny, four investigations and the loss of his career, it ended the way we said it would — as a violation, not a crime.”
Outside the courthouse, Johnson said he was relieved the ordeal was over and was hoping to return to public life.
“I’m happy its actually over and that I have family and friends with me and my faith in God that this would come to an end,” he told The Post.
It was revealed this past December that Paterson had quietly canned Johnson almost nine months after his top aide was suspended for allegedly beating his former girlfriend.
Johnson, once Paterson’s closest aide and the governor’s $132,000-a-year “director of executive services,” was axed Nov. 19, the same day reports appeared that a Bronx judge had ruled that prosecutors could move ahead with a domestic-violence case against him.