By Mark Scott
Albany, NY – Governor Eliot Spitzer suspended his top spokesman and reassigned another senior member of his administration Monday.
Spitzer took the action after Attorney General Andrew Cuomo revealed the two staffers schemed to release information about aircraft usage that would be damaging to State Senate Republican Leader Joseph Bruno. Cuomo's report cleared Bruno of any misuse of the state's air fleet.
"I will not tolerate this behavior," said Spitzer. He said he accepts the report's findings, and apologized to Bruno, and New Yorkers. "I have always stated that I want ethics and integrity to be the hallmarks of my administration. That is why I requested that the State Inspector General review the allegations with respect to my office, and that is why we have fully cooperated with both inquiries."
Darren Dopp, Spitzer's communications director, has been suspended indefinitely without pay. Spitzer's assistant deputy for public safety William Howard will be reassigned outside the Executive Chamber.
Bruno thanked the Attorney General for his investigation, saying that it validates his contention that he used the state aircraft appropriately.