More blood in the water: Governor Paterson's communications director, Peter Kauffmann, resigned this afternoon. Yesterday Kauffmann's name came up after the Commission on Public Integrity released its findings in their probe into Paterson's solicitation of free World Series tickets at Yankee Stadium. The commission's report suggested that Paterson had lied to Kauffmann about the how the tickets were obtained, and Kauffman was compelled to testify about the prevarication. (Here's Paterson's official response.) After spending yesterday getting grilled by the Attorney General's office, Kauffman threw in the towel today, releasing this statement:
As a former officer in the United States Navy, integrity and commitment to public service are values I take seriously. As recent developments have come to light, I cannot in good conscience continue in my current position.
Kauffman is the third member of Paterson's administration to resign in the wake of New York Times articles about the governor's interference in a domestic violence court case brought by his top aide's ex-girlfriend. On Thursday, Denise O'Donnell, the (deep breath) state Commissioner of the Division of Criminal Justice Services and Deputy Secretary for Public Safety resigned, and on Tuesday State Police Superintendent Harry Corbitt stepped down (Members of Paterson's security detail, which is part of the State Police force, repeatedly visited the alleged victim, Sherr-una Booker, in what appears to be an attempt to persuade her to drop her legal action.)
As he was leaving a Manhattan luncheon with former Mayor David Dinkins earlier today, Paterson told reporters he will be governor "tomorrow." But when asked if he would governor next week, he did not reply. Senator Bill Perkins, who holds Gov. David Paterson's old Senate seat, thinks time may be on Paterson's side because of "scandal fatigue."
Yes, scandal fatigue, which afflicts millions of New Yorkers on a regular basis! Perkins tells the Daily News, "Some of my constituents are obviously very concerned about some of the stories that have come out and concerned that there is a piling on to some extent that’s taking place...and therefore to some extent concerned about the unfairness, what they consider to be unfairness." Ask your doctor about Scandaloft, the number one proven medication for alleviating symptoms of ambivalence, nihilism, and dread!
