The New York Observer » David Johnson

Inside the Paterson Bunker: Newly Released Emails Document an Aide’s Moment of Disgrace

"I'm looking at the calendar each day and I'm so sad ... he is working soooo hard," wrote Karen Boykin-Towns to one of Governor David Paterson's top aides, David Johnson, on Jan. 22.

It was the Friday of what had been a very bad week in the press for those rooting for Mr. Paterson--lackluster poll Read More

David Johnson Speaks

NBC New York caught David Johnson coming out of the Bronx Courthouse, and the embattled body man agreed to take a few questions.

"I will be vindicated," said Mr. Johnson, the suspended driver to Governor Paterson, who now finds himself at the center of two scandals involving his longtime aide. "I've been a dedicated Read More

Paterson Slapped With Ethics Charges

This can't help.

The New York State Commission on Public Integrity charged David Paterson with an ethics violation today, after the governor accepted free tickets to a World Series game back in November.

Paterson first said he had been invited, but Yankees President Randy Levine told the Post: "He's a liar. I never talked to him." Read More

Kelly: Cops Thought She Had Order of Protection

At City Hall this afternoon, following an announcement about reducing violence in public schools, NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly took questions about the alleged incident of domestic violence that's plagued the governor in recent days. Mr. Paterson, along with state troopers, has been accused of improperly interfering in the case, in order to dissuade the Read More

David Paterson Is Not Resigning, Wants Advice

Governor David Paterson just told reporters at a brief press availability, "I have no plans to step down," and that, for now, he is continuing his campaign for election.

Paterson was speaking outside the Hilton in midtown, where he was to deliver remarks at the annual gala of 100 Black Men, Inc. of New York City.

The Read More

Two People Stand By Their Governor

Somewhat suprisingly, there are still some people willing to get up and say they still support Governor David Paterson.

City Councilman Robert Jackson said not only is he attending Paterson's campaign event in Harlem this weekend, he's going ahead with plans to endorse him.

"I'm not concerned at all," said Jackson after a press conference at 250 Read More

Paterson Mum on His Talk With Alleged Victim

In response to an earlier New York Times story, David Paterson said he didn't know of any recent accusations of domestic violence against his top aide, David Johnson.

But, this morning's New York Times story says the governor himself spoke to a woman earlier this month who was trying to file an order of Read More

When David Johnson Was a Candidate

Since The Times isn't done with their David Paterson stories, I figured I'd empty my notebook too.Here are the palm cards from 2005 when Paterson's top aide, David Johnson, ran for district leader in Harlem. The palm card, provided by a reader, describes Johnson as "a high ranking official" in Paterson's office.Johnson did Read More

Today’s Times‘ Paterson Story Slightly Less Underwhelming

The mea culpas and condemnation--336 comments!--were a little early, as it turns out. What looked like an epic bait-and-switch on Wednesday morning--when the Times' ballyhooed profile of David Paterson turned out to be about his driver and confidant David Johnson--was just a teaser for this morning.

The story says, essentially, Read More

Paterson Responds to That Story

After an out-of-control news cycle forced The Times to do a bit of explaining, and perhaps some soul-searching, the paper finally ran its big Paterson story this morning. And it's not exactly about the governor.

Instead, the two reporters, Danny Hakim and William K. Rashbaum--with the help of four other credited reporters--delved into Read More

Driving David Paterson

For years now, it has seemed that everywhere Governor David Paterson has gone, David Johnson has gone with him. It has occasionally been a bumpy ride.

For instance: Mr. Johnson, now a top aide, and Mr. Paterson have been involved in two car crashes together, neither of them reported until now.

The first incident happened at 4:15 Read More

Paterson Marches With the Anti-Bloombergs

At the West Indian Day Parade in Brooklyn today, Governor David Paterson tried putting to rest the notion that he’s undecided about who he’s supporting for mayor.

He marched with Democratic candidate Bill Thompson as members of the Transport Workers Union carried signs like that showed a giant Michael Bloomberg terrorizing tiny poor citizens of Read More