Paterson, Police and Protection

The lead article in today’s New York Times is titled, “Paterson Weighs Race as Top Aide Quits in Protest.” The article involves a rapidly developing news story accusing the State Police and Governor Paterson of illegally interfering with a woman who had accused one of the Governor’s top aides with domestic abuse.

The aide, David Johnson, was accused by the woman of choking and partially stripping her and had received orders of protection from the courts in the past. This time, the State Police called her, and then the Governor, the day before she was due in court. She then declined to go.

As all these particulars came to light, the Governor’s top criminal justice advisor, Denise O’Donnell, resigned in protest, and the Governor said he was considering whether or not to go forward with his race for reelection.

And I thought it was just the State Assembly and State Senate that were dysfunctional. Only in New York State (well, maybe Illinois, too) could something like this occur. These developments make Elliot Spitzer look like a boy scout.

And there was another bizarre development, too. Governor Paterson asked Andrew Cuomo, the current Attorney General and his likely primary opponent, to investigate the matter.

Well, though I’m rather stunned by this whole matter, I think, at least, Mr. Cuomo should recuse himself from the investigation and appoint a special prosecutor. Meanwhile, there’s a deafening silence from the state legislators.

More to come.