ALBANY—The first thing David Paterson was asked this morning, after speaking at a graduation for new state troopers, was whether he’d feel comfortable leaving the state anytime soon.
Under a deal reached yesterday that has apparently toppled Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith, if Paterson leaves New York (even to go to New Jersey), State Senator Pedro Espada Jr. would assume the powers of the governor, according to the state constitution. Yes, this is the same man who is under investigation by the Bronx County district attorney, Attorney General Andrew Cuomo and who owes several thousand dollars to the state board of elections.
