By Heather Grossmann
DNAinfo News Editor
MIDTOWN — Gov. David Paterson tried unsuccessfully to put the fiscal health of the state back at the forefront of the news Monday morning and ignore the growing chorus of calls for his resignation.
But the governor’s attempts to focus on his work on the state budget were stymied several times at a breakfast hosted by the New York Observer as panelists repeatedly questioned whether Paterson had the authority necessary to govern for the remaining 306 days he had in office.
“I already have the authority,” Paterson said to some laughter and applause. “I’m the Governor, that’s why you invited me.”
Paterson said that resigning was not even “on the table” and went on to say that he had been the victim of hysteria the past several weeks.
“Going back over a month, there have been some hideous and unsubstantiated rumors,” Paterson said of the weeks of speculation about a salacious New York Times scoop, which when published was an examination of his role in a domestic violence case involving his top aide, David Johnson.
Last week, Paterson asked Attorney General and likely gubernatorial candidate Andrew Cuomo to investigate his conduct and that of State Police in the matter.
The New York Times reported that the governor spoke on the phone to a woman who was seeking an order of protection against Johnson. The woman did not appear in court the next day, creating the appearance that the governor had improperly intervened and abused his power.
Paterson insisted Monday morning that he would serve out his remaining days in office and that his focus would be on the state’s budget deficit.
The governor said that he had every confidence that Cuomo would do a fair job investigating the case.
