ALBANY, N.Y. — New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Pete Grannis says he was fired by Gov. David Paterson’s top aide after his memo critical of the governor’s staff cut plans was leaked.
Grannis says Paterson’s top aide Larry Schwartz called him Wednesday and demanded his resignation over the memo leak, which Grannis says wasn’t his doing.
Grannis refused to resign and says Schwartz called him Thursday evening and fired him.
The leaked memo, which stirred an outcry among environmental groups, said the staff cuts demanded by Paterson would seriously impede the agency’s ability to do an effective job.
Grannis has been with the DEC since it was formed after the first Earth Day 40 years ago.
Schwartz did not immediately return a call seeking comment.