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Paterson Aide Turns Himself In for Assault Charges
By
John Del Signore
Published Aug 12, 2010
Modified Aug 12, 2010
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By
John Del Signore
Published Aug 12, 2010
Modified Aug 12, 2010
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Charges have finally been brought against David Johnson, the longtime aide to Governor Paterson who was at the center of an alleged cover-up scandal that ended his boss's election campaign. Last month a judge concluded that Paterson did not break any laws when he repeatedly contacted Johnson's ex-girlfriend, Sherr-una Booker, after Johnson allegedly choked her, tore off her Halloween costume, and threw her against a mirrored dresser last October. But the judge did recommend that the Bronx D.A. consider bringing charges against Johnson, and today the D.A. brought it.
Johnson, AKA "DJ," turned himself over to the Bronx district attorney shortly before 9:30 a.m. today and was being fingerprinted and photographed. "He’s ready to face the charges but he’s disappointed this petition was made," Johnson's lawyer tells the Times. Booker had dropped her legal action against Johnson one day after speaking with Paterson on the phone, and had previously told a Family Court judge that New York state troopers had been "harassing me to drop the charges and I wouldn't." Last month she decided to pursue charges against Johnson after a domestic violence victim sought her out at the Harlem hospital where she works.
The AP reminds us that Paterson is still being investigated for ethics laws violations; it is alleged that Johnson forged Paterson's signature on a back-dated check to pay for Yankees World Series tickets, after a Post reporter started asking questions about whether the tickets were comped.
Tagged
david johnson
domestic violence
governor paterson
sherr-una booker
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.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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