THE unprecedented Republi can-led Senate coup has claimed its first scalp, with the firing of Democratic floor counsel Michael Fallon, The Post has learned.
It was Fallon’s job to oversee the Senate’s parliamentary procedures last Monday when the coup began.
But it was clear to virtually everyone in the Senate chamber that the Democrats weren’t prepared to handle the coup and quickly lost control as the GOP skillfully presented its surprise resolution dumping Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith (D-Queens).
“Fallon has been told he is going to be replaced,” a Senate Democrat told The Post.
Other Democrats named to top jobs by Smith are also expected to be dumped as Brooklyn Sen. John Sampson prepares to succeed Smith as the Senate’s top Democrat, sources said.
They include Angelo Aponte, the Senate secretary and chief administrator, who has been bitterly denounced for allegedly overstepping his authority by Sen. Pedro Espada Jr., the Bronx Democrat who joined with the coup.
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Senior Democrats now regard Gov. Paterson as so irrelevant to the political process that his flip-flops last week in response to the Senate coup drew few expressions of surprise.
“People really don’t have any expectations anymore . . . when it comes to the governor,” said one of the state’s most powerful Democratic leaders.
Paterson denounced the GOP coup right after it happened but three days later reversed course and opposed the Democrats’ plan to lock the doors of the Senate Chamber to prevent Republicans from meeting. Also, Paterson seemed to negotiate with Espada, strengthening his credibility.