Paterson's Staff Sets Meeting as Aide Quits

New York Gov. David Paterson, left, and aide David Johnson walk down the steps of the Capitol in Albany, N.Y. (AP/FILE)

ALBANY, N.Y.—With the fate of New York Gov. David A. Paterson's political career in the balance, his top aide is convening an urgent meeting of the administration's entire New York City staff on Friday afternoon, according to a senior administration aide.

Larry Schwartz, the governor's chief of staff, alerted the staff about the 2:30 p.m. EST meeting by e-mail on Thursday, but didn't specify what would be discussed.

Also Thursday, Peter Kauffmann resigned as Paterson's communications director, saying that in light of recent developments he "cannot in good conscience continue in my current position."

The Democratic governor has been battling intense pressure to resign from office amid allegations that he and state troopers sought to influence witness testimony in a domestic-violence dispute involving one of his closest aides, David Johnson.

The scandal, which is under investigation by New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, has already prompted the resignation of two other high-level officials, including the superintendent of the state police, Harry Corbitt.

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