The problems pile high and deep for New York Gov. David Paterson and his administration. On Tuesday, the head of the New York State Police, Harry Corbitt, said he was retiring, in part because of media scrutiny. Later in the same day, the New York Times reported that Paterson told a state employee to contact a woman, Sherruna Booker, in the middle of a domestic violence scandal to "make this go away," since the scandal involved one of Paterson's aides, David Johnson.
A Paterson spokesman is denying that the governor ever told the employee to "make this go away." Corbitt acknowledged in February that a state police official had contact with the woman who accused the aide of assault. The assault allegedly took place in the Bronx on Halloween. Soon after the alleged contact with Paterson's people, the woman dropped the charges.
Corbitt made a television appearance to discuss the challenges of his job.
"Any individual who is criticized constantly feels that pain," Corbitt told Capital News 9. "And in most cases, there is some way to fight back. But in public service there is not. I'm not an elected official. I'm a public servant, I'm a cop. And a good cop. So to continue to face that pressure, and even pressure from my family, the media showing up in my driveway -- that's unacceptable. So for my own health and for my own sanity, it's the right thing to do."
Corbitt's immediate supervisor, Deputy Secretary for Public Safety Denise O'Donnell, resigned last week, stating that contact with the woman by a state trooper was "unacceptable," regardless of their intent.
Paterson has denied any wrongdoing.
"I think that we'll move forward now and we will look to see who will be the best person to lead the state police," Paterson told reporters. "I think he worked very hard and he was helpful at this period."
Booker said that Johnson, who was her boyfriend at the time, assaulted her on Halloween, but she didn't press charges. Paterson acknowledged speaking to Booker but said that she initiated the call. He also said that he did not try to persuade her to change her story. The New York Times then did an investigation and determined that Paterson directed two state employees to contact her.
Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, considered a strong candidate for the governor's office after Paterson's term has ended, is the one conducting the investigation. Criminal charges would result from Paterson, his staff or members of the state police tampering with Booker to try to get her to change her story. The National Organization for Women, who has long supported Paterson, has called for his resignation.
Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition. To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here. 



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By: sistersfirst on 3/03/2010 7:37AM
Thank God the old corrupt self serving guard is being dismantled. These men have brought shame and disgrace to black politics. Patterson sealed his fate when he thought he could treat Caroline Kennedy like a Harlem crack addict ho. He and his misogynist corrupt boys club f.cked with the wrong woman when they played cutesy games and humiliated Caroline Kennedy over the being considered for Hillary Clinton Senate seat. They flippantly told a woman from one of the most powerful families in America, maybe the world, to get lost. I couldn't believe it because I knew it would be hell to pay. They were so caught up in having big fun at her expense, intoxicated from the rush within their power base they lost sight of who they were and who she was.
The nail in his coffin was shaking down people to cover for his main man, an aid that beat up a woman and who had a history of domestic violence. You don’t f.ck with anyone in the Kennedy family because they will come at you with both barrels blasting. And as they say pay back is a b.tch. Every black man in powerful positions connected to Patterson has been brought down. Patterson is hanging in there, but the public want him gone now. And so do I.
The time has come for Progressive black women and men to step up and take charge. The era of the me first because of slavery misogynist black man democrat politician is over. Black women will look into the Republican Party if they offer better options for the betterment of black people and the issues that affect black women in particular. The democrat party has been more about black men issues and that will change. Black women have the power of the vote and will use it to make sure their needs are addressed. Today’s black women will not settle for being paper pushers and supporters only. More will take their places at the table and in leadership positions. Black men have had their shot and there isn’t too much to shout about that they have done.
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By: carla ford on 3/03/2010 8:52AM
@ sisterfirst
Thank you for the insight; I had no idea what was behind the scandal surrounding Paterson
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By: goddess on 3/03/2010 12:59PM
Black women will not ditch the democratic party just because of what corrupt black male politians do.
You are an imposter; you are not a sistah or sister. You are a cracka promoting Republican propaganda. On the other hand, you may be a frustrated envious black male who has something against Black male politicians who are trying to achieve greatness.
Yes, there are a few Black male politicians who have demonstrated wrong or corrupt behavior; but comparatively speaking they do not out match white male politicians. But you know this.
Also, white females will not leave the republican party due to the overwhelming corrupt behavior of cracka politicians; it is not in their best interest, especially if they want to maintain peace and unity in the home, within their family, and among their white race.
Likewise, it is not in the best interest of Black females to leave the democratic party. So do not try to galvanize Black females to vote for republicans. Instead, save your energy and time galvanizing the young white female—and white male voters to turncoat to republicans.
This Obama generations of supporters took a risk of shaking up the status quo of their racist progenitors, whom they knew and know are defacto racists. This new Obama generation wants change. Change will not come overnight; it is something that takes steady dedication. This is something that they know, and what Black females most definitely know and accept.
So, the problem is the white male racist demographic and/or the black frustrated /envious male demographic—does not want to accept change, especially when a bright ivy-league educated, heterosexual, family man, who has an African heritage, with a Muslim name is leading the way.
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By: Tiffany on 3/03/2010 3:14PM
I agree with sistersfirst. There are alot of black women who are taking a step back.
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