The Paterson Pattern

The lead story in The New York Times this morning is titled, “Inquiry is Told of Paterson’s Bid to Quiet Accuser.” It provides evidence of a more expansion pattern by Governor Paterson, his associates and staff in the burgeoning domestic abuse scandal paralyzing his administration.

The scandal occurred when Sherr-una Booker accused one of Mr. Paterson’s top aides of throwing her against a bureau last Halloween, then stripping and choking her. She received temporary orders of protection regarding the matter, then failed to show up in court to make the order of protection permanent.

Apparently, that failure to show up may have been influenced by inappropriate contacts by the head of the State Police, two aides to the Governor, and a phone call by the Governor himself. One of the aides, Deneane Brown, was allegedly told by the Governor to “make this go away.” Meanwhile, in a new development, the head of the State Police resigned after being implicated in the scandal.

It seems like the Governor’s resignation is inevitable. I can’t imagine him being cleared in the current investigation by the Attorney General; in fact, new allegations surface by the day. The Governor has canceled public meetings, and everyone who does meet with him on a political basis is careful to say that “his resignation never came up.” When they all say that, you know the exact opposite occurred.

How often have we seem otherwise competent politicians go down in flames because of serious misdeeds? It is indeed a tragedy that politicians who could do a lot of good for the working people end up on the sideline. Governor Paterson’s actions, if true, are a tragedy for all New Yorkers as well as the powerless victims of his actions.