New NY Governor has more hotel troubles
posted at 3:40 pm on March 24, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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Last we heard from Eliot Spitzer’s replacement, David Paterson had to explain one hotel stay that he charged to his campaign funds that may have been for an extramarital tryst. Now he may have to explain thirteen more that he charged to the state of New York:
Despite owning a house less than 20 minutes from the state Capitol, Gov. Paterson, as lieutenant governor, routinely used taxpayer money to stay at nearby hotels, The Post has learned.
Credit-card records obtained from the state Comptroller’s Office covering Paterson’s nearly 15 months as lieutenant governor showed he charged his state credit card for 13 Albany hotel stays totaling more than $2,500 between Jan. 1, 2007, and this past Feb. 18. …
Despite having a state driver to chauffeur him the 20 minutes home, Paterson, as lieutenant governor, sometimes chose to stay downtown because of a busy schedule, spokesman Errol Cockfield said.
“While he was lieutenant governor, Gov. Paterson had a grueling schedule that required him to be near the Capitol for sensitive negotiations, meetings with legislative leaders, and government-related conferences,” he added.
Sensitive negotiations … for what? As Lieutenant Governor, he had as much power as the hotel doorman in legislative issues. Paterson himself noted that he had no role in budgetary matters, for instance. He wouldn’t have cast any votes, and the Governor would have had the veto power. He had no official role in negotiating anything.
That leaves it to the imagination why Paterson would have eschewed a 20-minute ride home from his chauffeur for an expensive stay at the Crowne Plaza or Clarion. Why didn’t he just return home and save the taxpayers some money? Isn’t that the reason he and his wife spent the money to buy a home nearby the capital?
The people of New York have to wonder when the hits will stop coming. If Paterson has to step down, then Joe Bruno takes over as Governor — even though he’s in the middle of a federal investigation for business dealings outside of politics. Even at that, it would only be temporary, until a special election could be hald. Perhaps that’s what New York needs, as well as a completely new political class.
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Reminds me of the watergate scandle complete with hotel shenanigans.
William Amos on March 24, 2008 at 3:43 PM
I’m sure it’s just because the Crowne Plaza and Clarion had exceptional selections in the mini-bars…
rbb on March 24, 2008 at 3:44 PM
Wow…..who would have thought that Trustworth Turnpike would have this much traffic on it?
wildweasel on March 24, 2008 at 3:48 PM
Dear Lord, can you all in NY elect someone who isn’t a total sleaze? (Conservatives who have not voted for these rejects excluded).
Until you elect that certain individual, I will wonder why in the heck you keep bringing these rejects in and then laugh at you when you realize they are using your taxes for something other then the public, unless of course it is a public hooker.
Thank you and have a great day!
upinak on March 24, 2008 at 3:48 PM
Politicians, living the life of Riley, on the back of the taxpayers?
When did that start happening?
OhEssYouCowboys on March 24, 2008 at 3:48 PM
New York needs a thorough housecleaning of state government.
Given all the affairs Paterson was having, it was a grueling schedule. If it’s Tuesday, you must be Dorothy.
I do have to say though, that it is classier to use a hotel for your affair rather than your own house.
rbj on March 24, 2008 at 3:49 PM
Is there one single honest politician in NY? Sure doesn’t look that way.
L
letget on March 24, 2008 at 3:50 PM
I think I speak for us all when I ask, does he have a white grandma?
Akzed on March 24, 2008 at 3:50 PM
Somewhere Rudy is laughing about all this
William Amos on March 24, 2008 at 3:51 PM
If Governor Rockefeller were alive today, he’d say, “Lemme outa this coffin!!!”
Akzed on March 24, 2008 at 3:53 PM
I want that job!
I’m a teacher, I get nothing cushy like that at all. Even my just-out-of-college son got an iPhone from the firm he’s working for. Teachers are chopped liver, I guess.
Bob's Kid on March 24, 2008 at 3:54 PM
Perhaps Gov. Patterson can augment the state’s financial coffers by putting out his own “New York State Hotel Travel Guide” to compete with Zagat’s and AAA. They can pair it with the “Elliot Spitzer Guide To Dating In New York For Under $6,000 A Night”.
jon1979 on March 24, 2008 at 3:54 PM
Just keep throwing these unethical politicians out in the most public and humiliating ways possible–both parties, every level of government–until only decent people will dare to run for office (yes, they exist), or we have no politicians left. Either result is better than all these corrupt, depraved opportunists running our lives. If Democrats would censure and purge the worst of their party like Republicans usually do, it would help a lot. But most Dems get caught, stay brazenly in office, and then get reelected by the Democrat sheep voters over and over again. It’s really pretty sick when you think about it.
aero on March 24, 2008 at 3:54 PM
None if it matters, because, you know…Democrats are the party of the PEOPLE!
Maroons.
robblefarian on March 24, 2008 at 3:55 PM
Hey NY…uh, good luck with all that.
someguy on March 24, 2008 at 4:02 PM
Guess even a blind Gov will get his nut sometime..soon.
Speakup on March 24, 2008 at 4:02 PM
“Ladies and Gentlemen – I give you Governor Howard Stern!”
playblu on March 24, 2008 at 4:04 PM
More sticky roomers about the governor. Apparently, the result of handling too many suite things. Well, back off — she was just a pronege.
Dr. Charles G. Waugh on March 24, 2008 at 4:05 PM
And here they were worried about drinking out of hotel room glasses after watching the video.
Just imagine drinking out of one used by a NY Governor.
William Amos on March 24, 2008 at 4:07 PM
It’s becoming clearer and clearer why the taxes are so very very high in NY.
tlynch001 on March 24, 2008 at 4:07 PM
It’d be nice if the MSM could muster up some outrage about this. Its pretty disheartening that its more important that racial sensitivities get massaged than we get ethical leaders.
Iblis on March 24, 2008 at 4:11 PM
Here, I’ll fix that for you:
Is there one single honest politician in
NYthe country?KrisinNE on March 24, 2008 at 4:14 PM
Well, if he had to pay for those out of his pocket, his
WIFE might ask him some questions?
like will I need a shot of antibiotics in about a week?
DaveC on March 24, 2008 at 4:14 PM
.. Also, ‘What’s this bottle of Valtrix for?’
DaveC on March 24, 2008 at 4:15 PM
New York
New York
It’s one heck of a State,
Where the Gov has sex with everyone but his mate,
New York
New York
It’s one heck of a State.
Hening on March 24, 2008 at 4:22 PM
Name that party, New York Post! (
mymanpotsandpans on March 24, 2008 at 4:26 PM
Fixed it for ya………
Seven Percent Solution on March 24, 2008 at 4:29 PM
Maybe New York also needs new voters.
Just saying.
Niko on March 24, 2008 at 4:30 PM
Typical New York people.
faraway on March 24, 2008 at 4:31 PM
So lets have a pool about who resigns first – Patterson or Kilpatrick. I am putting my $10 on “None of the above”. Now would be a wonderful time for every politician who has a skeleton in the closet to bring it out so it can get lost in the shuffle. The scandals are so fast and furious I can’t keep up. Gotta love the Dims who want nothing more than to tell us what we want to hear and then do whatever the hell they want anyway…
HawaiiLwyr on March 24, 2008 at 4:32 PM
KrisinNE
NO, NO, NO
L
letget on March 24, 2008 at 4:36 PM
New York: The Pimp-Hire State.
Shy Guy on March 24, 2008 at 4:37 PM
I just assumed that both of you were asking rhetorical questions.
OhEssYouCowboys on March 24, 2008 at 4:37 PM
You New Yorker’s are starting to make Louisiana politics look good….
roux on March 24, 2008 at 4:43 PM
Why did he stay at hotels rather than his own home…
Because his wife, unlike himself, is not blind… :)
max1 on March 24, 2008 at 4:44 PM
She could cheat on him in the same room.
faraway on March 24, 2008 at 4:46 PM
License plate contest………
New York “The Trick State, Cum Again”
Hening on March 24, 2008 at 4:48 PM
“The Pimpire State”
OhEssYouCowboys on March 24, 2008 at 4:51 PM
Darn, if it’s in NY it’s everywhere. We have great fun here in IL also. Why can’t we find people who are honest and will do the job without scrEwing all the taxpayers? This is so disgusting.
UnEasyRider on March 24, 2008 at 4:53 PM
Sorry, Shy Guy, didn’t see your previous post.
OhEssYouCowboys on March 24, 2008 at 4:54 PM
It’s Slammertime!
pedestrian on March 24, 2008 at 5:18 PM
If I wait long enough, maybe I`ll get to be NY governer!
I`m just………..so tired, so very, very tired. :(
ThePrez on March 24, 2008 at 5:32 PM
Is any of this legal?
Kini on March 24, 2008 at 5:36 PM
You know, somewhere in the line of succession for NY governor, the capitol groundskeeper in Albany is laughing because he knows his turn will soon come….
irishspy on March 24, 2008 at 5:38 PM
NY, The Esquire State
Entelechy on March 24, 2008 at 5:47 PM
What’s up with all the picking on blacks and Dems?
JiangxiDad on March 24, 2008 at 6:06 PM
Most people in NY live in/around NYC. The mayor is what counts here, not the Governor. I never heard of Paterson until he became Governor, and most people, at least downstate, won’t know that Paterson is gone until pretty much after he’s gone. The rule vis a vis Albany is we won’t bother you if you don’t bother us. We send some money to Albany, just never knew it was for hotels. I mean these guys don’t even have their affairs in Albany.
JiangxiDad on March 24, 2008 at 6:12 PM
Sensitive negotiations? Is that what they call it in Albany?
Zorro on March 24, 2008 at 6:19 PM
Rockefeller was no saint.
Sloan Morganstern on March 24, 2008 at 6:49 PM
Politicians. Sigh.
Johan Klaus on March 24, 2008 at 6:57 PM
This may call for a revision in the oath of office for governor of New York, which will now begin:
Will the defendant please rise…?
Doctor Zero on March 24, 2008 at 7:32 PM
Who would have signed off on these expenses?
Spitzer?
Collusion to commit fraud?
MsDollie on March 24, 2008 at 9:09 PM
SPITZER/PATERSON PLATFORM: Tricks ‘n’ treats.
Dr. Charles G. Waugh on March 24, 2008 at 10:36 PM
I think with the current scandals in Albany…it might be a good time to have a spokesman with a slightly less provocative name. What’s next? Alex Cokehead?
91Veteran on March 25, 2008 at 12:59 AM
Wow…do we really want politicians more involved in healthcare than they are now?
Harry Schell on March 25, 2008 at 1:55 PM
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