Marissa Shorenstein resigned on Wednesday as Gov. David Paterson’s press secretary. In a short statement that she quoted, “Due to the circumstances that have led to my unwitting involvement in recent news stories, I can no longer do my job effectively.”
This is the latest high-profile resignation in an administration embroiled in controversy over a domestic violence case.
The Democratic governor has been losing staff since news reports emerged alleging an aide was involved in a domestic violence incident with a woman and that state police later allegedly pressured the woman to keep quiet. The aide, David Johnson, has been suspended without pay.
Paterson reportedly asked Shorenstein to contact the alleged assault victim, Sherr-una Booker.
The New York Times said that Paterson, “instructed Ms. Shorenstein to ask Ms. Booker to publicly describe the episode as nonviolent, a description that contradicted Ms. Booker’s accounts to the police and in court.”
Since reports about the assault surfaced, resignations in the administration include Harry Corbitt, head of state police, and Peter Kauffmann, the director of communications.
New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo has appointed an independent counsel to oversee two investigations of Paterson, who also has been accused of lying about his intentions to pay for World Series tickets.
Paterson’s office said Morgan Hook, his former upstate press secretary, will take the director of communications post.
The governor’s office said Shorenstein’s announcement does not reflect the atmosphere in the administration.
“We’re focused on passing a responsible budget,” Hook said. “The governor is continuing to move forward.”
Darren Dopp, the former communications director for Gov. Eliot Spitzer, said Shorenstein began her career with Spitzer as a press officer. After Spitzer’s undoing, Shorenstein remained in the office and worked for Paterson.
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