Top aide to Gov. Paterson resigns to protest David Johnson domestic violence cover-up scandal

[brooklynite]

Source: NY Daily News

A top aide to Gov. Paterson abruptly quit Thursday over the mushrooming scandal involving the governor and State Police.

As she resigned, Public Safety Deputy Secretary Denise O'Donnell ripped the handling of a domestic violence allegation against Paterson aide David Johnson.

Paterson aides admit the governor spoke to Johnson's accuser a day before she was to appear in court earlier this month - and a member of the governor's police detail also met with the woman.

"These actions are unacceptable regardless of their intent," O'Donnell said in a statement.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/02/25/2010-02-25_top_aide_to_gov_paterson_resigns_to_protest_david_johnson_domestic_violence_cove.html

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I'm surprised at how many people here see this story as either racism or his political enemies making things up. This is either clear interference in a criminal investigation, or an example of phenomenally bad political judgement, either of which are good reasons to have Paterson get out of the race now.

[hlthe2b]

1. I think Paterson is in (deservedly) deep kimchee

[WriteDown]

2. He's toast. What a bonehead. nt

[Ikonoklast]

3. Conspiracy to intimidate a witness.

What an idiot, if true.

[robcon]

4. He didn't have a chance of winning the primary, even without this latest blunder.

Paterson is over.