NY Gov. David Paterson: Public Pension Funds Are About to Implode...And On That Note, I Am Outta Here!

Today is New York Governor David Paterson's last day in office, and coincidentally he just had a most disturbing epiphany: America's public pension funds are at risk of insolvency.

Zoiks!

It's just so convenient too bad that Paterson won't be around to help clean up the mess. If only he had realized the urgency of the situation earlier in his term, he would have had time to do something about it.

Why are you laughing?

There is a new crisis on the horizon that threatens the solvency of local governments and the recovery of the U.S. economy: teetering public pension funds on the verge of insolvency, with the retirement security of millions of working Americans hanging in the balance.

In 2011, the health of these public funds will take center stage with the very real possibility of significant write-downs in pension asset pools at a time when most funds can ill-afford it. And while these problems were not created in a single year, immediate action will be required to avoid driving our economy deeper into the ditch of recession.

Paterson bequeaths a state pension fund that is $71 billion underfunded to incoming Governor Andrew Cuomo. Nobody knows what 'immediate action' Cuomo has in mind to rescue New York's pension system, but hopefully he's got something up his sleeve besides the 'ol tried and failed 'rob Peter to pay Peter' gimmick.

Don't hold your breath though.



Cross-posted.

Great News: Outgoing Accidental Governor Now Pardoning Illegals

Nothing quite says Merry Christmas to New Yorkers than pardoning two dozen illegal aliens while you on your way out of office.

Gov. David Paterson has issued pardons to 24 immigrants with prior criminal convictions, to prevent their deportation.

In a statement Friday, Paterson said his administration has reviewed more than 1,100 pardon applications and found that federal immigration laws are often "excessively harsh and in need of modernization."

Paterson said the 24 people he had pardoned committed offenses in the past but had paid their debt to society and are now making positive contributions to their communities.

In May 2010, Paterson created an Immigration Pardon Panel to collect information and help deserving individuals avoid deportation.

A shame we can't deport the idiot Paterson.

Meanwhile, having also pardoned a convicted killer in a racially charged case, the dunce decided it might be a good time to notify the victim's family.

A day after commuting the sentence of a black man in the racially charged shooting death of a white teen, Gov. Paterson today spoke with the angry family of the victim to explain why he set the convicted killer free.

The governor spoke for almost an hour with Daniel Cicciaro Jr.’s family in a Christmas Eve phone call.

But although he said the still-grieving parents gave him much to think about, Paterson said he had no regrets about cutting short the sentence of John White, who said he was protecting his family from an angry lynch mob in August 2006 when his gun accidentally went off in his driveway, killing the 17-year-old teen at point-blank range.

White was convicted in 2007 of manslaughter and sentenced to 20 months to four years in prison — a fraction of the maximum of 15 years.

As we can all see from the disaster in DC, lame ducks sure can do a lot of damage.

'Doing for Justice What Tiger Woods Did for Cocktail Waitresses'

I guess David Paterson is right. Al Sharpton is the kind of guy who uses people for his own selfish needs and dumps them at the curb as soon as he's finished with them. One's a man-whore, the other a media whore.

Gov. Paterson may want to consider a career as a comedian when he leaves office.

The outgoing politician praised Rev. Al Sharpton Friday for "doing for justice what Tiger Woods did for cocktail waitresses" during a birthday celebration for the civil rights leader in Harlem.

Sharpton said he appreciated the comments but added, "I don't know how Tiger feels about it."

"Don't worry governor, I got your back if Tiger comes to Harlem looking for you," Sharpton replied.

A regular laugh riot, these two.

Paterson Could Face Charges Over ... Yankees Tickets

He'll be out of office in four months, has been in over his head since assuming office from Client Number 9 and probably looks forwarding to getting away from the mess that is New York state government. And he could be prosecuted for going to a Yankees game and fibbing about it? On the outrageous outrage over government corruption scale this merits about a minus 5.

Gov. David A. Paterson misled investigators for the state ethics commission when he testified that he had intended to pay for free tickets he obtained to last year’s World Series, according to a report issued on Thursday by an independent counsel investigating the matter.

But the independent counsel, Judith S. Kaye, said it was up to the local district attorney in Albany, P. David Soares, to decide whether Mr. Paterson, a Democrat, should be prosecuted for perjury.

Aides to Mr. Paterson obtained five tickets to the first game of the 2009 World Series, which Mr. Paterson attended along with two aides, his son, Alex, and a friend of his son.

The tickets eventually came under the scrutiny of the state’s Commission on Public Integrity, which found that Mr. Paterson had never intended to pay for his own ticket and paid for his son and son’s friend only after the news media inquired about the matter.

The commission also concluded that Mr. Paterson had lied during his testimony about the tickets, a matter the commission referred last spring to Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo, who in turn asked Ms. Kaye to investigate.

Ms. Kaye’s findings largely back up the commission’s own report.

“Evidence developed in the investigation indicates that, contrary to the governor’s testimony, he had not formed an intent prior to the game that the tickets other than his own would be paid for,” Ms. Kaye found.

“Evidence indicates that his decision to pay for the tickets for his son and his son’s friend was made following a press inquiry the day after the game. In addition, evidence indicates that, contrary to the governor’s testimony, he did not partially prepare and bring a check for $850 to the game to pay for tickets for his son and his son’s friend.”

At a minimum, portions of Mr. Paterson’s testimony “were inaccurate and misleading,” the report concluded, and “warrants consideration of possible criminal charges by the district attorney, who will make the ultimate decision regarding whether or not charges should be brought.”

'This is Something That is Troubling and Something We Plan To Look At'

What "this" is most people call business as usual in Democrat circles. But nothing will happen because the race card will be whipped out before you can say corruption.

Gov. Paterson's administration awarded a $297 million federal contract without competitive bidding or public notice to GHI, the health-care provider whose parent company employs his wife, The Post has learned.

Legislative investigators are now looking into the huge, 3½-year contract that subsidizes insurance for uninsured individuals with pre-existing health problems -- part of President Obama's health-care reform act, state officials concede.

It could yield up to $30 million in "administrative costs" for Emblem Health, GHI's (Group Health Inc.'s) parent company.

"Selecting a company for which the governor's wife works without bidding or public notice raises serious disturbing questions," one of the Legislature's top Democrats told The Post.

"This is something that is troubling and something we plan to look at," the official continued.

Also disturbing, the official said, is that New York chose to have GHI administer the program when it could have joined at least 21 other states in having the federal government assume the responsibility.

First Lady Michelle Paterson is director of integrative wellness for the outfit.

Seems like First Ladies named Michelle always help get those sweetheart deals.

'After I Became Governor, I Gave Up the Blind Act'

He also seemingly gave up using his brain after he became governor by default. Endorsing a corrupt hack like Charles Rangel sure doesn't make it appear he's thinking clearly.

It was a small step for Charlie Rangel's political future - but a giant leap for Gov. Paterson.

Rangel was the man of honor as he kicked off his 21st congressional campaign Sunday at Washington Heights' Boricua College, but it was Paterson who stole the show.

The crowd gasped as the legally blind governor bounded from his front-row seat - and leaped onto a stage 2 feet off the ground.

After clearing the hurdle, the governor grinned slyly and cracked a joke.

"After I became governor, I gave up the blind act," he said to wild cheers and applause.

Paterson later told reporters that he hadn't rehearsed the jump but was inspired to perform for one of his Harlem political mentors.

"There is no height I wouldn't go to support Congressman Rangel," he said. "I thought I needed more of a demonstrative way of showing it."

Rangel, who turns 80 next week, went for a less acrobatic entrance but defiantly used his campaign launch to slam his critics, the press - and anyone who's tried to push him from politics.

"They can fire their best shot but they just can't walk over success," he told the crowd of nearly 100 supporters that included a who's who of Manhattan's political elite.

Under fire for ethics violations including inappropriate Caribbean junkets, the congressional lion relinquished the chairmanship of the powerful House Ways and Means committee in March.

The move prompted many to suspect he'd quietly retire, but Rangel insists he's holding his ground.

"I stepped aside so that I would not be a target for the Republicans," he said. "And after we whup them like they're going to be whupped in November, then I don't think that [President] Obama, [House Speaker] Nancy Pelosi and Charlie Rangel is going to be a big enough target for anybody."

I'll have some of what he's drinking.

Paterson: Hey, Let's Give Client No. 9 a Second Chance

This coming from a guy who boasts about putting a former drug dealer into a position of power only to see it blow up in his face when his aide was accused of beating his girlfriend. With such a track record of sound judgment, who are we to argue with him?

Gov. Paterson said his hooker-happy predecessor Eliot Spitzer deserves a shot at a comeback, just like the aides with checkered pasts Paterson prides himself on hiring.

"I've dedicated myself to hiring people who have had infractions when they were younger but had talent," Paterson said Sunday on Kiss-FM's "The Open Line" when asked about a possible Spitzer political return.

"I hope the same standard will be extended to Gov. Spitzer, who had tremendous talent and I hope will be able to exercise it."

Paterson famously gave a second chance to ex-aide David Johnson, who rose to become one of the governor's most trusted advisers despite arrests on felony drug charges as a teenager.

Paterson was forced to abandon his election campaign over accusations he interfered in a case involving Johnson's alleged assault of his girlfriend last October. Paterson has acknowledged speaking with the woman by phone.

Of course if Spitzer doesn't re-enter politics, he's always got a budding career at MSNBC ready to roll. Let's face it, he couldn't possible do any worse than any of their current lineup over there.

Obama Pal Jay-Z Bails on Shady Aqueduct Deal

When last seen, thug rapper Jay-Z was chillin' in the White House Situation Room. His situation involving the very shady Aqueduct casino deal now has him running for the hills.

AEG's bid to run video slots at Aqueduct looked ready to be put down yesterday.

Queens minister Floyd Flake and rapper Jay-Z bailed out as key local partners in the Aqueduct Entertainment Group, while Gov. Paterson's office threatened to kill the deal.

"The deal is circling the drain. It's on its way to being dead," an insider told The Post.

State and federal authorities are probing accusations that the selection of AEG was rife with corruption and favoritism.

Flake's backing-out came just hours after NYPost.com broke a story that Paterson's senior advisers -- in a letter to AEG -- vowed to disqualify the winning bidder for failing to submit all of its investors to rigorous background checks to obtain a gaming license. The deadline to comply was yesterday.

The license review includes a criminal-background check and examination of five years' worth of tax returns -- including spousal income. It also includes a rigorous look at all other business dealings and associates.

Although Flake and Jay-Z were named as investors, neither applied for the gaming license and never submitted to pre-screening by the state.

Sources said Flake and Jay-Z may have been concerned about the extensive prying into their finances and associations.

Gee, ya think?

This should be another nail in Paterson's political coffin, since he's the one who improperly gave AEG the contract.

Funny how quickly these folks bail out when they're hit with subpoenas.

'He Enjoys Partying -- That's Nice!'

Want to know how the accidental governor David Paterson wound up where he is? Because Eliot Spitzer's aides were apparently so clueless they have no idea what the term "hard partier" means.

When Eliot Spitzer's top aides were mulling David Paterson as a potential running mate in the winter of 2005, two people who knew him cautioned that the Albany veteran was a "hard partier."

They were referring to Paterson's extramarital dalliances, past drug use and penchant for late-night clubbing. But Spitzer's people didn't get the message.

"We didn't know what 'hard partying' even meant," a former top Spitzer aide confessed to The Post. "Our idea of fun is to go exercise. The thinking was, 'He enjoys partying -- that's nice!' "

The warnings about the then-Senate minority leader were never even passed on to Spitzer, since they seemed beside the point.

"We didn't understand that it meant women or that it was in any way inappropriate. We didn't understand the lifestyle going on there."

It was just one of a comedy of errors that led to Paterson becoming New York's accidental governor and that has now left the state government in disarray as he struggles to survive a host of scandals.

Photo of the Day: Clueless Paterson Now Doing Restaurant Openings

It appears the accidental governor's people are deliberately making an idiot out of him now. This one is Biden-esque when it comes to being gaffe-tastic.

A scandal-scorched Gov. Paterson dove back into state business Friday - by ceremonially opening a chain restaurant. At JFK. During rush hour.

For an already under siege Paterson, the planned photo op couldn't have gone worse: He stood beneath a mural depicting a belching dog at the event at the Palm Bar and Grille.

The agita-inducing gaffe came as the embattled guv brushed aside the scandals swirling around him to defiantly insist he wouldn't resign and had "no plans but to finish out my term as governor."

And touting the Palm was important, too.

"I am very honored to be asked to be part of this great opening, the third Palm that has opened on my watch," he said.

More than 30 journalists jammed into the restaurant to chronicle the strange spectacle of an under-siege governor taking time to tout a new eatery, even as his administration was imploding.

"I'm so happy that you've joined me to see how hard I work," he quipped to the throng of reporters as his poll numbers collapsed and the good-government group Common Cause called for his ouster.

Paterson Accused of Violating State Laws

Maybe this will finish off the accidental governor.

The New York State Commission on Public Integrity today charged Gov. David Paterson with violating the gift ban of the state’s ethics laws when he secured free tickets to the first game of the 2009 World Series from the New York Yankees.

The commission has asked Attorney General Andrew Cuomo and the Albany County district attorney to investigate whether Paterson or anyone else committed a crime by testifying falsely under oath during the commission’s interview of him and by causing a check to be back-dated.

The commission determined that there is reasonable cause to believe that the governor solicited, received and accepted an unlawful gift and later falsely testified under oath that he had always intended to pay for the tickets for his son and his son’s friend. In fact, the commission alleged, the governor’s intention was to receive and accept the tickets without paying for them until a press inquiry caused him to submit a backdated check as payment for the tickets.

The commission charged Paterson with violating two subsections of the gift ban provisions of the Public Officers Law, each of which carries a maximum penalty of $40,000. In addition, he allegedly violated three sections of the state Code of Ethics, including one that prohibits the Governor from using his official position to secure unwarranted privileges, which carries a civil penalty of $10,000

Dum da dum dum.

Granted, this is chump change next to the countless ethical violations committed by his good friend Charlie Rangel, but considering the cloud Paterson's been under and the pressure to resign, he may no longer have anyone left in his corner.

Zuckerman Not Running in New York; Gillibrand Demands Paterson Resign

Yesterday it was Harold Ford, today it's Mort Zuckerman. Is there anyone who will run against an un-elected incumbent?

The field in the battle for a New York Senate seat became a little clearer Tuesday when Mortimer B. Zuckerman announced he would not join the race.

Mr. Zuckerman, chairman and publisher of the Daily News, said personal and professional reasons were behind his decision not to challenge Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand.

"I was encouraged by many major political figures in New York to look closely at running for Senate," Mr. Zuckerman said.

"However, at this time, it is very difficult to see how I can devote the necessary time to either a campaign, or to working in Washington, if I were to win."

Mr. Zuckerman pointed out that he has a young family, which is the most important focus in his life.

So what's left? George Pataki? Not the most inspiring possibility.

Meanwhile, the suddenly empowered Gillibrand gave her thanks to the lame-duck David Paterson by asking him to resign tonight. Yes, the guy who appointed her. Now that's some loyalty!

A besieged Gov. Paterson retreated into bunker-mode Tuesday, holing up in his mansion as demands he resign rained down - even from his hand-picked senator.

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand lowered the boom as the exploding scandal claimed another scalp: State Police Superintendent Harry Corbitt said he'll retire at the end of Wednesday.

"I'm a cop, a good cop," Corbitt told the "Capitol Tonight" cable show last night. "For my own health, for my own sanity, it's the right thing."

The most shocking evidence of Paterson's crumbling world came from Gillibrand, a little-known upstate congresswoman before Paterson plucked her from obscurity last year to fill Hillary Clinton's vacant seat.

'Worse Than Watergate? This Time it is the Crime AND the Coverup'

Ordinarily when a Democrat dredges up Watergate it's over a Republican scandal, be it real or fabricated. Well, in this case it's a Democrat bringing it up to call for the resignation of another Democrat. And the pressure is mounting by the hour for David Paterson to resign.

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Senate Democratic leader John Sampson have just arrived at the governor's mansion near the Capitol where Gov. Paterson has been holed up for the past two days.

The two leaders said nothing on their way into the mansion, although it is believed they may be bringing a message to the governor that it's time for him to resign his office.

Paterson has been embroiled in a scandal stemming from revelations that he may have been involved in directing a cover-up of the domestic violence incident involving one of his close aides.

Sherr-una Booker told police she was roughed up on Halloween last year by Paterson aide David Johnson, her boyfriend at the time, but later decided not to press any charges.

At issue is whether Paterson or anyone from his staff or security detail influenced her decision.

Paterson has acknowledged that he spoke with Booker, but said she initiated the call and that he did not try to get her to change her story.

State Democratic Chairman Jay Jacobs, who has been a Paterson supporter, was also on his way to Albany to meet with the governor.

"I called him, I have not spoken with him yet," Jacobs told The Post, declining to say specifically what he planned to say, but acknowledging the latest allegations are serious.

This comes as State Sen. Craig Johnson (D-Long Island) wrote on his Twitter account this morning, "Worse than Watergate? This time it is the crime AND the coverup."

The push for Paterson to step out is beginning in earnest, multiple sources told The Post, adding that he's being given a very hard sell that he has to leave.

"He can't govern," said one insider familiar with the discussions, while another said, "I don't see how he he lasts the week."

How bad is it for Paterson? Even the politically tone-deaf charmers from NOW have chimed in.

“It is inappropriate for the governor to have any contact or to direct anyone to contact an alleged victim of violence,” said Marcia Pappas, president of NOW New York State. “This latest news is very disappointing for those of us who believed the governor was a strong advocate for women’s equality and for ending violence against women.”

How naive they are, thinking Democrats care the slightest bit about women. If they had the slightest clue they'd have been out in front of this story at least a week ago.

Previously.

Memo to Paterson: It's the Cover-Up, Stupid

I just don't see how much longer the accidental governor can stay in office as the slow drip of revelations surrounding his aide's beating of his girlfriend is slowly becoming a tidal wave ready to wash his administration away. Paterson may want to step aside and for a minute begin thinking of how badly this affects the state and his constituents.

In an explosive development that puts Gov. Paterson at the center of an alleged cover-up, the governor instructed two female state workers to contact the woman involved in a domestic-violence case against his closest aide -- even enlisting one of them to ask the victim to downplay it, sources told The Post last night.

Paterson instructed his press secretary, Marissa Shorenstein -- who met with probers from Attorney General Andrew Cuomo's office yesterday -- to phone Sherr-una Booker just as the media was preparing to unleash a damning piece on Booker's ex, troubled longtime Paterson pal David Johnson, one source said.

The source said it appeared that Paterson wanted to minimize the violent nature of the incident.

The stunning revelation is the first apparent evidence that Paterson tried to influence the case against his friend, Johnson.

Booker had told cops that Johnson choked her and slammed her into a mirror because he was furious over her sexy Halloween costume.

Shorenstein called Booker but was unable to reach her, and a Paterson administration source insisted that the press secretary wasn't aware of the extent of Johnson's alleged vicious attack on Booker when she tried to reach her.

Shorenstein had phoned Booker at Paterson's behest believing that the woman might issue a statement on behalf of the governor as he was getting slammed by scandal, the Paterson source said.

Meanwhile, Paterson -- in his quest for damage control -- even personally pressed a second state worker to get involved in the case, the source said.

The governor asked the worker, Deneane Brown, to reach out to Booker, whom she knows, and have her call him so they could talk, according to the source.

Brown, who works for the Division of Housing and Community Renewal, called Booker several times before finally reaching her Feb. 7.

Booker then turned around and called Paterson that same day -- the day before she was to appear in court in her domestic-violence case against Johnson.

The next day, Feb. 8, Booker failed to appear in court -- and her bid to seek a protection order against Johnson was dismissed.

Can you say conspiracy, boy and girls?

Meanwhile, Paterson has become so distracted he's not even able to show up for work.

He's got to go.

The "Hall of Governors" corridor outside of Paterson's office at the Capitol was eerily quiet for the start of a state government work week.

By early evening, Paterson hadn't left the 39-room protected compound, despite what had been expected to be a full day of serious negotiations with state lawmakers on how to close a looming $9 billion state budget deficit for the fiscal year beginning April 1.

"Where's the governor? Why isn't he here working?" a senior Assembly Democrat asked.

"Is he writing his resignation speech?"

Aides refused to say what the governor was doing in the mansion.

So you have a state in dire fiscal crisis, a lame-duck governor mired in scandal and he's not even showing up for work.

Bye, Dave.

Paterson Not Seeking Re-election

Not that he stood a snowball's chance in hell of being elected to begin with. What he needs to do now is resign.

Gov. David Paterson has decided not to seek election to a full term amid a roiling scandal over whether he and his troopers intimidated a woman who'd reported domestic violence against one of his top aides, The Post has learned.

Paterson has communicated to top advisers and supporters that he will pull the plug on his campaign today, multiple sources said -- confirming a Post report.

He's expected to make a statement at between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. today.

Paterson, who took over the state's top spot when Eliot Spitzer resigned because he had sex with a prostitute, is expected to say he won't resign.

Just last night Paterson said he intended to continue his campaign. But he also said he would talk to fellow Democrats about his future.

NY Papers: Paterson Has To Go

Nice to see the old media catching up with the new.

Today both the New York Post and Daily News have editorial urging the accidental Governor to resign.

From the NYDN:

Like most New Yorkers, the Daily News greeted David Paterson's ascension to the governorship with best wishes and fervent hope for success in endeavors suddenly assumed. Today, just shy of two years later, we urge Paterson to step down immediately.

It is clear that the governor tolerated domestic abuse accusations against his closest confidante, and there is a suggestion that he joined state troopers in a campaign of witness tampering to shield the aide from prosecution.

In either case, Paterson has given cause to doubt his word and his judgment, breaking a fundamental bond with the public - the bond of trust.

Having demeaned his high office, having exposed a character flaw that plays out as a truth deficit, Paterson is punchline rather than punch. He does not have the capacity to confront the state's economic challenges.

And the guy just doesn't get it.

The Post cuts right to it.

It's time for David Paterson to close out his role in one of the strangest episodes in New York history -- and turn over the affairs of state to his lieutenant governor, Richard Ravitch.

We don't prescribe this lightly.

But new developments make it painfully clear that the accidental governor lacks the credibility to effectively see New York through its current crises.

The latest: Paterson and the State Police apparently tried to dissuade a woman from seeking an order of protection against a key gubernatorial aide, David Johnson.

And that he has no hope of gaining it.

Yes, Paterson on Wednesday authorized Attorney General Andrew Cuomo to begin a criminal investigation of the matter.

But because we have no doubt that Cuomo will do his duty in this regard, we also don't doubt that the episode will end in tears -- if not for Paterson, then for his aide and for who knows how many other administration officials.

The scandal, of course, is just the latest in a string of Paterson fiascos -- ranging from his allegedly politically motivated awarding of a casino contract to months of nonfeasance in the conduct of his daily duties -- that has reduced state government to a sad, shabby joke.

Simply put, David Paterson is unqualified to hold the office he inherited when the equally scandal-scarred Eliot Spitzer resigned it two years ago.

Paterson's public-safety czar, Denise O'Donnell, jumped ship yesterday, and we doubt she'll be the last.

The New York Times, which has helped grease the skids for Paterson, simply has questions for Dave.

It's Official: Paterson Needs to Resign

Consider the irony. For weeks there was much hype and speculation a major bombshell from the New York Times would force New York's hapless Governor David Paterson to resign in disgrace. Well, the stories came and went, met mostly by stifled yawns since they involved an aide of his. Well now it turns out during the period when the Times was working on the stories, Paterson seemingly leaned on a woman who had accused his aide of violently assaulting her.

Is he really this clueless?

Last fall, a woman went to court in the Bronx to testify that she had been violently assaulted by a top aide to Gov. David A. Paterson, and to seek a protective order against the man.

In the ensuing months, she returned to court twice to press her case, complaining that the State Police had been harassing her to drop it. The State Police, which had no jurisdiction in the matter, confirmed that the woman was visited by a member of the governor’s personal security detail.

Then early this month, days before she was due to return to court to seek a final protective order, the woman got a phone call from the governor, according to her lawyer. She failed to appear for her next hearing on Feb. 8, and as a result her case was dismissed.

Many details of the governor’s role in this episode are unclear or in dispute, but the accounts presented in court and police records and interviews with the woman’s lawyer and others portray a brutal encounter, a frightened woman and an effort to make a potential political embarrassment go away.

The case involved David W. Johnson, 37, who had risen from working as Mr. Paterson’s driver and scheduler to serving in the most senior ranks of the administration, but who also had a history of altercations with women.

On Wednesday night, in response to inquiries from The New York Times, a senior administration official said Mr. Paterson would request that Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo investigate his administration’s handling of the matter. The official also said the governor would suspend Mr. Johnson without pay. He declined to answer any specific questions about the governor’s role in the matter.

The woman’s lawyer said Mr. Paterson’s call came sometime between Feb. 1 and Feb. 8, the scheduled court date.

The lawyer, Lawrence B. Saftler, said that the conversation lasted about a minute and that the governor asked how she was doing and if there was anything he could do for her. “If you need me,” he said, according to Mr. Saftler, “I’m here for you.”

Mr. Saftler said the governor never mentioned the court case, but he would not say if the call had influenced her decision not to return to court.

The call also came as The Times was examining the background of Mr. Johnson, whose increasing influence with the governor had disturbed some current and former senior aides to Mr. Paterson.

The woman’s lawyer asked that she not be identified by name because she feared retaliation, in part because she works at a public hospital.

The alleged assault happened shortly before 8 p.m. on Halloween in the apartment she shared with Mr. Johnson and her 13-year-old son for about four years, according to police records.

She told the police that Mr. Johnson had choked her, stripped her of much of her clothing, smashed her against a mirrored dresser and taken two telephones from her to prevent her from calling for help, according to police records.

And just now Paterson gets around to suspending this thug? More pathetic, he's going to have Andrew Cuomo, his putative rival for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, investigate him?

He's got to go. Now.

Mr. Paterson, at a meeting with the editorial board of The Times on Feb. 8, said he was angry that a reporter had gone to the home of what he described as “an ex-girlfriend” of an aide. He suggested that the reporter’s real purpose had been to dig up damaging information about him.

And the blockhead was dumb enough to call the same woman himself, but just to, you know, help out.

Well, Dave, that pretty much seals it for you.

Instapundit links. Thanks!

Allahpundit has more thoughts on Paterson.

Whiny Paterson Plays the Victim

The rumors of his rampant womanizing and drug use are all Eliot Spitzer's fault, apparently. Nothing like maintaining your dignity, Dave.

Gov. Paterson has a new scapegoat for the breathless rumors of womanizing and drug use that have dogged him the past few weeks - Eliot Spitzer.

Nearly two years after Spitzer abruptly resigned as governor amid a hooker scandal, Paterson told CNN's Larry King on Thursday night that his recent problems are "a carry over from that situation."

"I think that's actually victimized me," he said.

Our state had a change in leadership in a rather shocking way a couple of years ago and I think people still have a sort of sensitivity to that."

As a result, he said, "people would tend to believe anything they hear these days."

Paterson repeatedly called his having to deal with the rumors a distraction from the fiscal problems the state is facing.

But he has gone on a publicity tour the past four days to address them. At an event in Queens before his CNN appearance, Paterson said he will continue to fight back.

"This time they are messing with the wrong hombre," he said.

It's time to go, hombre.

'The Entire Matter Stinks to High Heaven to Put it Very Bluntly'

While the New York Times sits on what was promised to be some blockbuster story that would force New York Governor David Paterson to resign, purportedly to involve drugs use and sex, it appears Paterson could face far more trouble with these rumblings tonight.

There are new problems for Gov. David Paterson -- a potential probe into his decision to award a lucrative aqueduct gambling contract to a politically connected firm.

Sources told CBS 2 HD on Tuesday that federal officials are considering the preliminary inquiry into Gov. Paterson's decision to award a multi-billion dollar gambling contract at Aqueduct to a firm with ties to the Rev. Floyd Flake, a powerful former Queens congressman whose political endorsement is highly sought. Albany lawmakers also said that a probe is necessary.

"The entire matter stinks to high heaven to put it very bluntly," said Sen. Frank Padavan, R-Queens.

Sources said the federal probe is very preliminary and will seek to determine if mail or wire fraud was committed and if any laws were violated. The contract will install some 4,500 slot machines similar to the ones at Yonkers Raceway and is worth billions of dollars.

"You know it's hard to know exactly what's going on because so much of what happened is secret," said Blair Horner of the New York Public Interest Group.

Imagine that, Democrats cutting multi-billion dollar deals in secret. It all sounds so familiar.

Paterson, meanwhile, is talking tough.

Over my dead body!

A defiant Gov. Paterson vowed today that he'd leave office early early only if he's hauled off "in a box."

"Let me let you know this: The only way I'm not going to be governor next year is at the ballot box, and the only way I'll be leaving office before is in a box," Paterson said during a news conference.

"Actually, the more frustrated I get, the more I know I am going to be running" in November, he added.

The comments came as an embattled Paterson was updating reporters on tomorrow's impending snowstorm.

His possible resignation has been the talk of the state capitol over the past few days after The Post ran a story Jan. 30 saying Paterson was caught by state police in a utility closet with a woman other than his wife.

Later today, displaying that golden political touch of his, Paterson suggested raising taxes on New Yorkers.

Pure genius.

Irony: Only One Defending Paterson is a Republican

Now that the New York Times has built up the buzz surrounding a supposed bombshell story involving David Paterson's alleged womanizing and drug use, they'd better come up with the goods or face eternal humiliation. The hapless Paterson, who has less than a year in office anyway barring unforeseen circumstances, is completely under siege.

"For the last couple of weeks, I have been the subject of what, even by Albany standards, has been a spate of outrageous rumors about me," Paterson said.

"There is an accountability that should exist in the media. How do I get my reputation back?" the governor continued.

"Because I don't believe I have done anything to deserve this kind of bashing."

The governor said he hasn't been involved sexually with another woman since he and his wife temporarily separated more than a decade ago, an admission he made upon taking office 23 months ago.

He also said he hasn't used drugs since his early 20s.

And he portrayed himself as something of a homebody -- claiming that he has eaten away from home or outside the Executive Mansion in Albany only five times in his tenure.

Meanwhile, Paterson is meeting up with honchos at the Times in some apparently futile hope of staving off the supposed bombshell story.

Paterson met with the Times' editorial board yesterday to discuss state politics and in an effort, according to one insider, to "soften the big shots at the paper up."

Sources said Paterson plans to meet today with the paper's editors and reporters in hopes of heading off a damaging story.

Meanwhile, State Police sources accused the Paterson administration of trying to prevent more leaks by transferring 10 troopers, including one captain, from the governor's security detail last week.

"They're trying to smoke out the leaker," a police-union source said. "What they don't realize it's almost everybody on the detail because everyone's sick of his behavior."

So with his inner circle, police detail, other state Democrats and the White House all trying to push the guy off the cliff, it's supremely ironic the only one on record defending Paterson turns out to be a Republican.

It was left to Paterson's newest chief political ally to offer a, uh, reasoned defense of the embattled Democratic governor, one free of conspiracy theories and bogus enemies.

"If The New York Times is working on or has a story, then you should confirm or print it," Rick Lazio, the all-but-certain Republican candidate for governor, demanded of Times Executive Editor Bill Keller.

"If you do not, then you have a moral obligation to stop the drama and the psychological warfare on Gov. Paterson."

Remarkably in this current climate, Paterson does have an impending announcement: He's running this year.

Amid churning doubts over his political future, New York Gov. David Paterson has told one of his closest advisers that he will officially announce his campaign for governor next week.

William Lynch, a Harlem lobbyist and political aide, said Mr. Paterson will give a "major statement on why he's running" and will travel around the state to make clear his intentions. "He's running," Mr. Lynch said.

I just hope for his sake he watches where he eats while he's traveling around the state.