By Heather Grossmann
DNAinfo News Editor
MANHATTAN — The National Organization for Women has joined City Comptroller John Liu, State Sen. Bill Perkins and a chorus of politicians calling for Gov. David Paterson's resignation.
Following a New York Times report Monday night that said Paterson personally instructed two staff members to contact a woman accusing his close aide of domestic violence, NOW withdrew their support for the governor Tuesday morning.
"It is inappropriate for the Governor to have any contact or to direct anyone to contact an alleged victim of violence," NOW-New York President Marcia Pappas said in a statement Tuesday. "This latest news is very disappointing for those of us who believed the Governor was a strong advocate for women's equality and for ending violence against women.
"We at the National Organization for Women-New York State believe that, in spite of the Governor's heretofore excellent record on women's issues, it is now time for the Governor to step down," Pappas said.
A Marist Poll conducted before Monday's news broke, showed 66 percent of registered voters wanted the governor to finish out his term, and only 28 percent thought Paterson should resign. Six percent were unsure.
The Times reported that Paterson told his press secretary, Marissa Shorenstein, to call Johnson's accuser and direct her to "publicly describe the episode as nonviolent."
On Tuesday, the New York Observer reported that Shorenstein had retained high-profile attorney Laura Brevetti of K+L Gates.
Paterson also asked another state employee, Deneane Browne, who knows both the governor and the accuser, to contact the woman before she was to appear in court last month seeking an order of protection against Johnson, the paper said.
Brown arranged for the woman to speak to Paterson, according to the Times, on the eve of her court appearance. She didn't show up in court the next day.
The Times said its report showed "the first evidence that Mr. Paterson helped direct an effort to influence the accuser."
According to news reports, the woman accused Johnson of choking her on Halloween night 2009, throwing her against a mirror and preventing her from calling for help.
State Democratic leaders including Assembly Leader Sheldon Silver, State Senator John Sampson and State Democratic Party Chairman Jay Jacobs were in out of the Governor's Mansion all day on Tuesday to discuss "moving forward," the Times reported.
Last week Paterson ended his election bid citing distractions caused by the scandal.
Attorney General Andrew Cuomo is investigating the incident.
