David Johnson, the aide to New York Governor David Paterson (D) who allegedly assaulted his girlfriend last Halloween and attempted to keep her from calling police, was booked this morning on misdemeanor assault charges related to the attack, and is expected to be formally charged and arraigned later today.
The Halloween altercation was reportedly the third violent incident Johnson had with women, two of which necessitated police involvement. Paterson’s chief of staff intervened in one incident. Johnson’s then-ex-girlfriend filed twice for a restraining order but was unable to serve Johnson; after separate conversations with the State Police (which did not have primary jurisdiction) and Paterson, she failed to appear for a hearing in February and the charges against Johnson were dismissed without prejudice.
Although the police in 2009 originally cited Johnson for misdemeanor harassment, he is expected to be charged with misdemeanor assault today. The charges stem from the recommendation of a judge who looked into — and dismissed — claims that Paterson should be charged for interfering in the investigation. The judge did recommend that Johnson be charged for the alleged assault.
Johnson’s lawyer told the New York Times that he expected Johnson to be exonerated.
