Paterson: Woman Worked For State, No Laws Broken
During a nearly half-hour press conference at the state capitol in Albany, David Paterson said he has had affairs with "several" women, two of whom had at one point been on the state payroll.
The governor, who was accompanied by his wife Michelle, said it is a personal matter and did not violate any laws.
He did not name either of the women. One, he said was a "inherited" staff member. A spokeswoman, Christine Anderson, later said she formerly worked for Eliot Spitzer, and began working for Paterson when he assumed the governorship. (Paterson had said the affair ended years ago).
A second woman may have worked for a time on the state payroll, but Paterson said the women did not benefit in any way from the relationship.
He did admit to once calling the employer of one of the women, and said the nature of the call was health related. A spokeswoman later explained that he called to ask that this woman be allowed to work for home for a period of time because of a health issue, which she did not detail further.
"I don't think I violated any laws," Paterson said. "I think we have a marriage like many Americans."
He said he went public with the information to clear his conscience and dampen rumors that have been circulating. A spokeswoman later said Paterson simply wasn't asked with any specificity about the relationship prior to the article that appeared last night on the Daily News website. The spokeswoman told reporters afterwards there was no request to hold the story until after Paterson's swearing in.
Paterson repeatedly painted the issue as a personal matter that many Americans, elected officials, and even some reporters in the room may have experienced themselves.
He said he shouldn't be removed from office simply "for liking someone else" and "not knowing that one day" he could be governor.
Michelle Paterson, wearing a dark suit, stood behind her husband for most of the press conference. She said many marriages "have peaks and valleys" and that "no marriage is perfect."
UPDATE: Errol Cockfield, a spokesman for David Paterson called to say that only one of the woman the governor had an affair with ever worked on the state payroll. Another Paterson spokeswoman, Christine Anderson, told reporters immediately after the press conference that there was another woman who "at one time may have been on the state payroll."
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Are we going to pursue sex until no one of any quality or qualification will want to serve in public office? I don't care about such things, as long as the politician can lead and has vision. I think Patterson's right - a lot of people have dealt with this in their marriages, and an affair does not a scandal make. Spitzer was a completely different matter - he broke laws to break the law. Patterson just experienced what many others have. Unfortunate that it's become public. They've worked it out. That's good enough for me.
No one cares about a blind man groping in the dark.
I think it's shameful that adultery has become commonplace but I don't think it should be broadcasted like this unless there's a big violation happening. Spitzer and Paterson are two differnet people. Spitzer broke the law while serving as governor. The media buzz arpund Spitzer is justified. Paterson and his wife have some major issues clearly but it's irrelevant because it wasn't against the law. It's morally screwed up like all affairs are but certainly not on the same scale as Spitzer. Spitzer's resignation was the right thing. People should still get over it but the exposure was totally justified.
What a bunch of left-wing hypocrites you have in New York. If he was white or a Republican, you'd be calling for his blood. The press would help you run him out of town. You can be certain the press wouldn't be taking him at his word as they have so far, even though he has REPEATEDLY been CAUGHT LYING.
Dear Michael Spurlock: Right Wing people are selfish people, the kind who as children did not want to share their toys with the other children. The reason why we don't care in New York if Paterson had extramarital affairs, and would maybe care more if he were a Republican, is because he's a left wing guy, he's FOR THE PEOPLE and cares about people whereas if he were a Republican, he would only care for the rich, white, straight people and we wouldn't want such a selfish guy to remain in office anyway.
Left wing people are a lot nicer than right wing people, and on the East coast we're generally SMART and EDUCATED and like to SHARE our toys with the other children, be they black, white, rich, poor, gay, straight, you get the picture.
So, right wing people can stay in their land-locked suburban wastelands and hoard all of their toys and live boring lives and just go to hell. BTW: your Jesus was a left-winger, he was actually a socialist.
I really like right wing people. Left wingers shout down debate and call people who disagree with them racists and other bad names instead of standing upon the power of their ideas, of which left wingers have none.
Please forgive me for being not only stupid, but an ass jack.
Respectfully yours,
robert thompson
PS: McCain 2008
Bloomberg for Governor, 2010
Anyone but Schumer, 2010
Let he who is without sin continue to cast these stones. Society is hurt more by words than by the knowledge of another's adulterous copulations.Perhaps there is a need for less conversation and more copulation even as the public lives vicariously through their elected officials'
naughty daliances and daring escapades.Let's stick to the business at hand and keep the closet doors closed for awhile.Enough already.
All I know is that I need to get a government job. Apparently you have a lot of free time for fooling around.