ALBANY — Gov. Paterson is lashing out at top aides for the growing debacle surrounding what they consider a “corrupt” Aqueduct gambling deal decision — and suggesting that they’ll soon be fired, The Post has learned.
“He’s become paranoid. He sits gnashing his teeth, looking around for scapegoats among the people around him,” said a source frequently in contact with Paterson. “He’s lecturing them, launching into tirades, and he’s demoralized the entire staff in the process.”
In response, several Paterson aides have signaled they may quit over what some call his “corrupt decision” to give the lucrative Aqueduct gaming contract to a questionable consortium that includes the Rev. Floyd Flake of Queens, whose political support the poll-challenged governor has aggressively sought.
“Aqueduct was the last straw for many of them, they all want out,” said a source close to Paterson’s aides. “Even on the inside, the Aqueduct decision is seen as corrupt,” added a second administration source.
For months, aides to Paterson privately complained about what they called the governor’s lack of focus on critical issues, his poor work habits and late-night, booze-fueled “disappearances” at trendy nightclubs and undisclosed locations — when even his State Police bodyguards don’t know where he is.
They’ve also groused about his penchant for spreading false rumors about aides and a peculiar reliance on two little-known assistants, Clemmie Harris and David Johnson, who have more power than his senior professional appointees.
But Paterson’s decision to award the huge contract to operate thousands of video lottery machines to the Aqueduct Entertainment Group at the same time he was blatantly seeking Flake’s endorsement was seen by many as the final unacceptable step.
“People on the inside have put up with a lot, but they’re embarrassed by what the governor has done, he did it behind their backs, and he did it for reasons that they’re very uncomfortable with,” said a source close to the situation.
Several sources said Paterson has turned with a fury on his own aides, blaming them for a series of disastrous press reports on the Aqueduct contract, his once-again declining poll numbers, and a new round of rumors and reports — including two recent disclosures in The Post — that he is involved in relationships with women other than his wife.
Paterson’s secretary and chief of staff, Larry Schwartz, was described as “more somber than ever” over the governor’s behavior.
And his chief counsel, Peter Kiernan, was said to be “counting his days until he is out.”
“The truth is that Paterson made the Aqueduct decision with a blatant disregard for the smartest people around him,” an insider said.
A longtime Paterson friend, who has tried to be of assistance to the governor, said it was “really sad to see what’s happened to David.
“He appears increasingly detached from reality, unaware that he has alienated everyone and has lost the political support he needs to survive.”