The scandal that never dies was resurrected today.

The Commission on Public Integrity released a statement in response to a judge’s decision to uphold a $10,000 fine levied against former Spitzer communications director Darren Dopp.

It all dates back to the summer of 2007 when it was discovered that records about then-Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno’s travels were compiled by the State Police, allegedly at the behest of Dopp,  and provided to the Albany Times Union.

In a statement, the executive director of the CPI, Barry Ginsberg, insists the issue was never about records.

“Yesterday, after a thorough review, a judge upheld the Commission’s decision to fine Darren Dopp $10,000 for his central role in the Troopergate matter.  In March 2008, a different judge rejected Mr. Dopp’s unfounded effort to prevent the Commission’s hearing that resulted in this fine,” Ginsberg says.

“This case was never about the release of public documents.  Rather, this case stands for the critically important principle that the State Code of Ethics bars a State official from misusing the State Police to gather damaging information and create official-looking documents to plant a negative news story about a political opponent. Our free and democratic society simply does not, and cannot, condone such abuse of a law enforcement agency.”

UPDATE:
We just spoke to Darren Dopp who says he isn’t discouraged by yesterday’s ruling. He says the judge dismissed the case because of a procedural issue, and he is now in the process of fixing the issue and plans to continue his appeal. He went on to say that he is confident that some day, when a judge rules on the merits of the case, he will be vindicated.

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