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.