Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Do <em>You</em> Suffer from Scandal Fatigue? Paterson Hopes So!
By
John Del Signore
Published Mar 4, 2010
Modified Mar 4, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
NY1
By
John Del Signore
Published Mar 4, 2010
Modified Mar 4, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
More blood in the water: Governor Paterson's communications director, Peter Kauffmann, resigned this afternoon. Yesterday Kauffmann's name came up after the Commission on Public Integrity released its findings in their probe into Paterson's solicitation of free World Series tickets at Yankee Stadium. The commission's report suggested that Paterson had lied to Kauffmann about the how the tickets were obtained, and Kauffman was compelled to testify about the prevarication. (Here's Paterson's official response.) After spending yesterday getting grilled by the Attorney General's office, Kauffman threw in the towel today, releasing this statement:
As a former officer in the United States Navy, integrity and commitment to public service are values I take seriously. As recent developments have come to light, I cannot in good conscience continue in my current position.
Kauffman is the third member of Paterson's administration to resign in the wake of New York Times articles about the governor's interference in a domestic violence court case brought by his top aide's ex-girlfriend. On Thursday, Denise O'Donnell, the (deep breath) state Commissioner of the Division of Criminal Justice Services and Deputy Secretary for Public Safety resigned, and on Tuesday State Police Superintendent Harry Corbitt stepped down (Members of Paterson's security detail, which is part of the State Police force, repeatedly visited the alleged victim, Sherr-una Booker, in what appears to be an attempt to persuade her to drop her legal action.)
As he was leaving a Manhattan luncheon with former Mayor David Dinkins earlier today, Paterson told reporters he will be governor "tomorrow." But when asked if he would governor next week, he did not reply. Senator Bill Perkins, who holds Gov. David Paterson's old Senate seat, thinks time may be on Paterson's side because of "scandal fatigue."
Yes, scandal fatigue, which afflicts millions of New Yorkers on a regular basis! Perkins tells the Daily News, "Some of my constituents are obviously very concerned about some of the stories that have come out and concerned that there is a piling on to some extent that’s taking place...and therefore to some extent concerned about the unfairness, what they consider to be unfairness." Ask your doctor about Scandaloft, the number one proven medication for alleviating symptoms of ambivalence, nihilism, and dread!
Tagged
kauffman
paterson
Resign
scandal fatigue
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Central Park birders, others remember 63-year-old woman killed in park
People who said they knew her described her as an artist and a familiar presence in the Ramble.
By
Charles Lane
Published Sep 28, 2026 at 7:04 p.m. ET
Dump truck driver hits and kills cyclist on 34th Street in Midtown, NYPD says
It's the latest in a string of hit-and-run deaths in the city in recent months.
By
Liam Quigley
News
Dump truck driver hits and kills cyclist on 34th Street in Midtown, NYPD says
It's the latest in a string of hit-and-run deaths in the city in recent months.
By
Liam Quigley
New ingredient mandated for Latin American kitchen, restaurant plates in NJ
By
Arya Sundaram
A Brooklyn jail cell filled with smoke. The emergency button failed, a lawyer said.
By
Samantha Max
Crews launch tunnel machines to dig first new Hudson River rail tunnels since 1910
By
Michael Sol Warren
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .