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David Paterson
David Johnson Pleads Guilty (Updated)
Mar 2nd - 1:13 pm
The Bronx DA’s office just announced that David Johnson has pleaded guilty to domestic violence charges.
The former top aide to ex-Gov. David Paterson will not serve any jail time under his plea to 2nd degree harassment, but he will undergo treatment for anger management.
Johnson admitted to shoving his girlfriend at the time, Sherr-una Booker, with the intent to harrass her. The incident took place on Halloween night 2009. As part of the plea, he is not allowed to have any contact with her for two years.
An Attorney General’s office investigation into the incident, headed up by former Chief Judge Judith Kaye, revealed that Governor David Paterson acted inappropriately by talking to Booker in the weeks following the incident.
UPDATE: Here’s a statement from Booker’s attorney:
“Ms. Booker hopes that, by standing up for her rights, she has encouraged other women who are victims of domestic violence to let go of their fear and do the same. And she is pleased that David
Johnson has taken responsibility for his actions.”
Here’s the criminal complaint:
Criminal Complaint – Johnson, David
As you’ll recall, Paterson’s potential involvement in Johnson’s domestic violence mess contributed to the former governor’s downfall. That was one of two scandals (the other being the Yankees World Series tickets debacle) that caused Paterson to decline to follow through with his plans to run for a full term in 2010.
Then-AG Andrew Cuomo asked former Chief Judge Judith Kaye to investigate the Johnson and Yankees tickets cases. Kaye determined Paterson had exhibited bad judgment in the former, but not in a way that merited any criminal charges.
Kaye did find evidence of potential criminal activity (lying under oath) in the latter case and referred it to Albany County DA David Soares, from whom we’ve heard nothing to date. Paterson paid a $62,124 fine to settle charges with the Public Integrity Commission early last month.
Paterson Sides With Skelos On Redistricting
Mar 1st - 12:17 pm
Former Gov. David Paterson sounded a sympathetic note while standing in for WOR’s John Gambling this morning during an interview of his old political advserary, Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, on the topic of redistricting reform.
Paterson, the former Senate minority leader, joked that he has probably debated the Long Island Republican “more than anyone else in my life, including my own wife.” He called Skelos “a real gentleman outside and inside the legislative chamber.”
The former governor, who has increased his talk show hosting duties over the past several weeks, said he believes redistricting reform has possibly come up “too early” this year, noting the district lines won’t have to be redrawn until 2011 (in time for the 2012 elections).
“Both you and I remember that some of those years where we were reapportioned were the most difficult years because people were fighting over what their own legislative lines would be,” Paterson told Skelos. “And I can see why you wouldn’t want to address it right now in the budget process.”
Skelos said he doesn’t believe Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s bill creates a truly nonpartisan redistricting process, noting the governor – who is currently a Democrat – gets to appoint four individuals to the nominations committee that will eventually select the commission members, while each of the legislative leaders get one appointment each.
Paterson Remembers Dr. Daines
Feb 28th - 4:58 pm
Former Gov. David Paterson released the following statement about the late former state Health Commissioner Richard Daines, who died at the age of 60 over the weekend:
“I was shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the sudden death of Dr. Richard Daines. My heartfelt and sincerest condolences go out to his family and his former colleagues at the Department of Health.”
“Dr. Daines embodied what it means to be a public servant, and his passion for improving the health and well-being of all New Yorkers was evident to everyone he came in contact with. His determined advocacy for programs and policies that put health first – and popularity and poll numbers at a distant second – is his legacy, and one for which he can be proud.”
“There is an epidemic in this country and in New York; one that puts our children at disproportionately higher risk than adults. Childhood obesity, diabetes and heart disease were unheard of just decades ago, but have now become a sad and accepted truth, particularly in poor and minority families.”
“But Dr. Daines did not accept this, and he fought against powerful special interests to change it. I am proud to have fought by his side, and I believe that the public dialogue we helped start is leading to meaningful change.”
Indy Dems’ Medicaid Reform Plan
Feb 28th - 3:40 pm
The Senate Independent Democratic Conference is pushing for the state to begin taking action on a law that it maintains could save $61 million in Medicaid costs over four years.
The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Jeff Klein and signed into law last December by then-Gov. David Paterson, would essentially allow individuals to apply their life insurance policy to longterm care.
“Most people face the option of depleting their resources or not having any money in the first place and they immediately go on Medicaid,” said Klein.
“With this new law, we’ll forego the need to have to go on Medicaid right away.”
Klein estimates only 400 thousand New Yorkers have longterm care insurance while nine million purchase life insurance policies. He says this is the main reason is longterm care is significantly more expensive.
“It’s giving people a choice,” said Klein.
“If people choose to leave their money to their beneficiary from their life insurance policy they can do so.”
The idea is one of the 79 recommended in the Medicaid Redesign Team’s report, but the Indy conference is calling on the State Insurance Department to implement the new law so costs savings can be realized sooner rather than later.
The four-member IDC also issue yet another report today, which appears in full after the jump.
Paterson Pitches For Spitzer’s Job
Feb 18th - 12:58 pm
Former Gov. David Paterson is rooting for his old boss, Eliot Spitzer, to succeed on CNN, but just in case the whole TV host thing doesn’t work out for him, Paterson wants to make one thing clear: He’s available.
“He hasn’t invited me on (his) show, but I do talk to him from time to time,” Paterson told Don Imus on Fox Business Network. “I thought he should have invited me on his show.”
“…I think the show’s very good. He’s very bright. He’s glib. He has an opinion on everything and he expresses it well. He does a very good show. If it doesn’t work out, I’m always there to take his place.”
Paterson also reiterated that he believes his successor, Gov. Andrew Cuomo is “doing great,” adding:
“I think it’s the legislators who are crying for a change, not the governor, because has made it very clear what we need to do to get this economy back on track and he is doing the business of the people.”
(H/T Mediaite).
Paterson Ponies Up For Yankees Tickets Fine
Feb 4th - 2:35 pm
Former Gov. David Paterson has has paid $62,124 to settle his fine from the Public Integrity Commission over five free Yankees tickets to the 2009 World Series that he obtained for himself, his aides, his son and his son’s friend, the AP reports.
The board’s spokesman, Walter Ayres confirmed to the AP that Paterson’s check was received today.
As you’ll recall, the commission determined back in December the governor violated the Public Officer’s Law and the testimony that he intended all along to pay for the tickets was “false” and was refuted by “his staff, the Yankees, an independent handwriting expert and common sense.”
Former Chief Judge Judith Kaye, who investigated the Yankees tickets and David Johnson domestic violence cases at the request of then-AG Andrew Cuomo, referred the former to Albany County DA David Soares and suggested he consider criminal charges against Paterson.
That was over six months ago now, and we haven’t heard anything since from Soares’ office.
Paterson/Spitzer?
Jan 16th - 5:18 pm
SNL isn’t quite finished with former Gov. David Paterson…or his predecessor, former Gov. Eliot Spitzer, for that matter.
Despite the fact that Paterson, with whom I thought SNL had long ago buried the hatchet, has been out of office since Jan. 1, the show’s writers resurrected the ex-governor for a sketch that imagined him as the replacement for Spitzer’s current CNN co-host, Kathleen Parker.
The bit also includes a cameo by Gwyneth Paltrow, who plays a pretty unconvincing Heidi Klum. Fred Armisen, of course, is Paterson.
Cuomo Cuts His Own Pay
Jan 3rd - 12:45 pm
As he is poised to call for a one year “emergency” salary freeze for state workers, Gov. Andrew Cuomo is trying to lead by example by announcing he will take a five percent pay cut himself.
Cuomo’s gubernatorial salary is $179,000, is set by state law and has not changed since 1999 (the last time the state lawmakers and all top executive commissioners got a raise). The governor plans to return the five percent, which works out to $8,950, to the state coffers, according to his press office.
In addition, LG Bob Duffy and newly hired senior members of the Cuomo administration who are filling existing positions in the executive chamber are also taking salary reductions and have agreed to take a pay cut of five percent from their predecessors’ salaries.
This includes the governor’s secretary (Steve Cohen), counsel (Mylan Denerstein), director of State Operations (Howard Glaser), counselor (Drew Zambelli) and the chief of staff (Ben Lawsky).
The governor also directed that the overall executive chamber budget be reduced by five percent. Cohen has initiated a review to determine where these reductions will be made.
“Change starts at the top and we will lead by example,” Cuomo said.
“Families and business owners in every corner of the state have learned to do more with less in order to live within their means and government must do the same.”
Cuomo’s press release includes a supportive quote from the CBC’s president, Carol Kellermann, who said:
“The Governor’s announcement of cuts in the Executive Chamber budget, including cuts to his own salary, demonstrate that sacrifices will be necessary in all aspects of State government if New York is to regain its fiscal health.”
Back in 2009, then-Gov. David Paterson announced he would take a 10 percent pay cut ($17,900) to underscore the severity of the state’s fiscal crisis. At the time, the governor said he wanted to make a symbolic gesture.
The desire to send a message didn’t last long, however. Paterson declined to take that 10 percent cut in 2010, although he did say he would be willing to take the furlough he unsuccessfully sought from the state workers.
Paterson, Out
Jan 1st - 5:14 pm
Former Gov. David Paterson was front and center this afternoon for the swearing in of his successor, Gov. Andrew Cuomo, and seemed to enjoy himself, considering the circumstances.
He was seen chatting and laughing with Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman (Lippman’s predecessor, Judith Kaye, swore Paterson in back in March 2008) prior to the ceremony.
He spoke briefly with reporters after the event, praising Cuomo’s speech and his decision to remove the concrete barriers from around the state Capitol, saying he has long felt “chagrined” about how inaccessible the building has been to the public. (No word on why he never acted on that feeling during his own tenure).
Asked what he plans to do now, Paterson responded with a flash of his old trademark humor: “I’m going to go home.”
(Without a State Police detail, it should be noted, since his request for a continuation of his taxpayer-funded protection has been denied).
Assemblyman: Paterson Deserves Post-Storm Blame
Dec 31st - 3:39 pm
Mayor Bloomberg has been bearing the brunt of the blame for the lackluster post-blizzard clean-up, but one state lawmaker thinks there’s more than enough of that to go around with a share belonging to outgoing Gov. David Paterson.
Assemblyman Bill Colton, a Brooklyn Democrat, said Paterson should have declared a state of emergency after the storm, following New Jersey’s lead, arguing that would have allowed for the mobilization of resources – from the National Guard, for example – to help the city with its sub-par snow removal effort.
“I think the governor clearly had a responsibility to, at the very minimum, call the mayor and say: Do you need help? Should we call a state of emergency? At the very minimum, the governor should have done that,” Colton told me during a brief telephone interview this afternoon.
“There should at least have been a discussion of whether it was needed.”
When I noted Paterson has one foot out the door (although he has managed to find the time to issue more than a few pardons and a commutation), Colton replied:
“The reality is the snow occurred a week ago and it would seem to be that he’s got to keep his hand on the helm of the ship.”
Colton, who was in a car during our interview, the situation “has improved considerably” in the city, although there are still streets in his district that haven’t yet been cleared. He said the mayor’s office – “once they started communicating with us” – has been responsive to constituent calls.
“But why did it take four or five days, that’s where the governor could have come in,” Colton reasoned. “There was a shortage of private vehicles for plowing. They didn’t have enough plows. If there had been a state of emergency declared, maybe we might have had more resources.”
During his weekly radio show with WOR’s John Gambling this morning, Bloomberg defended his decision not to call a snow emergency in NYC, arguing it could have actually worsened an already bad situation by forcing cars off the main streets and onto the already-clogged side streets.
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