Albany, NY – Gov. Spitzer Apologizes To Sen. Bruno, And Disciplines 2 Staff Members

Albany, NY – Gov. Eliot Spitzer said he accepts AG Andrew Cuomo’s report, apologized to Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, the State Police and the people of New York and announced disciplinary action against two members of his administration: Darren Dopp and Bill Howard.

Dopp, Spitzer’s communications director, will be suspended without pay for an “indefinite period,” which will be no less than 30 days. Howard, the assistant secretary for Homeland Security and a Pataki administration holdover who is the liaison to the State Police, will be reassigned to an undefined position outside of the governor’s office.

Spitzer called Dopp and Howard “friends and invaluble advisors,” adding: “Saying what I just have is extremely difficult.”

As for his No. 2, Richard Baum, who Cuomo’s report showed was aware of Dopp and Howard’s actions, Spitzer said: “I have every confidence that he believed no actions were taken that were not responsive to appropriate media inquiries,” adding that he has “absolute confidence in his integrity and judgment.”

As for Acting State Police Superintendent Preston Felton, Spitzer said he was put in an “untenable position here…clearly there is a search ongoing for the position of superintendent of State Police, but we have to remember his 30 years of service.” [dailynewsblog]