NY Gov. Paterson, State Police, Bully Domestic Abuse Victim

by Alex DiBranco · 2010-03-02 06:52:00 UTC
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Because New York Governor David Paterson really needs another scandal: the New York Times reports that Paterson tried to intimidate a woman who had been abused by one of his aides into keeping her mouth shut.

The woman was seeking a protective order on the grounds that the aide, David Johnson, who she had been in a relationship with, choked her, threw her against a mirrored dresser, and kept her from calling for help. But David couldn't let David have that on his record! So Paterson directed two state employees to contact the woman and pressure her to publicly declare the very violent incident "nonviolent." It further appears that the accused aide has a history of violence against women, covered up by Paterson back when he was still a state senator.

But this is my favorite part: the governor got the State Police to contact the victim and, instead of doing their job of protecting her, try to harass her into dropping the charges. Fortunately, two members of the state legislature are looking cross-eyed at this whole big deal and especially the police intimidation, proposing the creation of an investigative body to monitor "systemic misconduct, abuse of power and inappropriate political intervention." They're not so much blaming the state police: they're blaming entitled politicians wielding undue power and compelling our law enforcement to enforce their agenda.

Last month, the New York State Senate sent a no-tolerance message on domestic violence when it voted to expel Hiram Monserrate from his seat. While Paterson's actions send a bad message regarding NY politicians' record on violence against women, at least the state legislature is taking steps to prevent this kind of rampant abuse of political power from occurring in the future. After all, it's not just domestic abuse cover-ups where we have to worry: we can't have governors running around sicking the state police on anybody who might make their administration look bad. Police would never have the time for actual criminals.

Photo credit: David Shankbone

Alex DiBranco is a Change.org Editor who has worked for the Nation, Political Research Associates, and the Center for American Progress. She is now based in New York City.
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