Nathaniel Brooks for The New York Times
Darren Dopp, the former communications director for Gov. Eliot Spitzer, at his home near Albany.
Posted on 06/27/2008 10:17:40 PM PDT by neverdem
ALBANY — Again and again when he appeared before a state ethics commission last year, a top aide to Gov. Eliot Spitzer tried to explain that he had told the governor about steps he was taking to gather the travel records of Joseph L. Bruno, then the Senate majority leader.
But the commission’s executive director kept changing the subject and did not want to hear about Mr. Spitzer’s involvement, says the aide, Darren Dopp.
In his first extended interview about the case, Mr. Dopp said this week that he was refusing to reach a settlement with the ethics commission, known formally as the Commission on Public Integrity, and would contest its allegations if it opens a formal public inquiry in the months ahead.
He said the commission, which has been accused in the past of being too close to Mr. Spitzer, was determined to paint him as a rogue operative.
“Early on, they were convinced by someone that it was all my fault, and they aren’t backing off that notion,” said Mr. Dopp, who was Mr. Spitzer’s communications director. “If I have to fight, I will. I want to clear my name.”
Mr. Dopp said that during hours of testimony, Herbert Teitelbaum, the commission’s executive director and a onetime political supporter of Mr. Spitzer’s, brushed aside his assertions that he was not acting alone.
“Mr. Teitelbaum kept insisting that I was a rogue and that everything happened because I took it upon myself to release the records,” said Mr. Dopp, now a communications strategist for an Albany lobbying firm.
“When I mentioned the governor, Mr. Teitelbaum was incredulous,” he added. “He didn’t want to hear about it. He would change the topic whenever the governor’s name came up.”
Walter Ayres, a spokesman for the commission, said on Friday...
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
LOL! Thanks for the toon.
FReepmail me if you want on or off my New York ping list.
Thanks for the ping!
Not saying this guy is innocent but the Commission Chairman is clearly covering up for Spitzer.
Spitzer left alot of bodies in his wake. It needs to come to light so that innocent people can reclaim what used to be their innocence and reputations.
You’re welcome!!!...(and a Good Mornin’ BTTT !!)
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