David Johnson, the close aide to New York Gov. David Paterson (D) who was at the center of a domestic violence scandal that forced Paterson to drop out of the gubernatorial race, was fired last month.
Johnson, who was placed on unpaid leave when the scandal surfaced in February, was officially taken off the payroll on Nov. 19, the AP and others are reporting.
Back in February, the New York Times reported that Paterson and a member of his State Police detail spoke to Johnson’s former girlfriend after she accused Johnson of domestic violence. According to her, Johnson had become enraged over her Halloween costume, choked her and threw her into a dresser.
Two days after the story hit, Paterson announced that he would end his campaign for a full term as governor.
A former judge appointed by the attorney general (and now governor-elect) Andrew Cuomo to investigate Paterson’s actions found that he had acted inappropriately by speaking to the alleged victim. But she recommended no charges for the governor.
Johnson was charged with misdemeanor assault in August and pleaded not guilty. He has not yet been tried.
According to Johnson’s lawyer, Johnson has not been collecting a paycheck or unemployment since he was placed on leave. He remains unemployed.
His lawyer also told the Times that the timing of his firing had no particular significance, but was just end-of-the-year housekeeping by Paterson’s office.
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