Metro

Experts: Gov raps are looming

Gov. Paterson could face criminal charges over asking two state workers to contact a senior adviser’s girlfriend, who was claiming domestic violence against him, at a time when she was pushing for court-ordered protection, experts say.

The reports that Paterson asked a spokeswoman, Marissa Shorenstein, and Housing and Community Renewal official Deneane Brown to reach out to Sherr-una Booker are the first clear sign of the governor’s involvement in the scandal.

“There is a real issue about whether he crossed the line,” said one former federal prosecutor, who asked not to be identified.

Potential charges could be “witness tampering, obstruction of governmental administration, or some similar charge,” the former prosecutor added.

Equally troubling for the governor is the phone conversation Paterson had with Booker, which she made to him after Brown told her the governor wanted to speak to her, according to sources.

“A key issue for me is what, if anything, did the governor know or do prior to taking that prearranged call,” a legal expert said.

Criminal-defense lawyer Joe Tacopina said that prosecutors “don’t need to be too creative” with charges when someone like Booker is allegedly being asked to change her story.

“I’ve seen prosecutions for much less, especially the position that he’s in,” he said.

maggie.haberman@nypost.com