David W. Johnson, the extremely close aide to New York Gov. David Paterson who was charged this year with assaulting his girlfriend—a case that unraveled his boss' political career—was finally fired today after nine months of unpaid leave.
Another Times bombshell! The governor drafted a statement in mid-February saying his violent pal, David Johnson, did not beat up his girlfriend, Sherr-una Booker. Paterson wanted Booker to back this up, but she wanted no part of "a lie." [NYT]
When "model" photos of the victim of a sexually-charged crime emerge, it's usually to blame the victim. A decade-old photo session with Sherr-una Booker has emerged, but the pictures are tame and the story is sweet. Does that excuse it?
Citing pressures related to David Paterson's "police are my personal henchmen for intimidating abused women" scandal, State Police Superintendent Harry Corbitt announced his retirement late Tuesday. Who's down and who's still standing.
Ever since that Paterson expose fizzled, Albany bureaus have been stuck in "the day after a tragically disappointing Christmas" mode, toying listlessly with unwanted stocking stuffers. The latest: Sleazy aide David Johnson went on a football junket. Of course. [NYPost]
The New York Times' David Paterson story centered on his drug-dealing, allegedly abusive staffer David Johnson. But Paterson also employs Clemmie Harris, an adviser who collects $30,000 a year on disability and doesn't appear to live in New York.
