Posted by A lawyer for New York Gov. David Paterson says Attorney General Andrew Cuomo declined to represent the governor in the legal dispute over his appointment of veteran troubleshooter Richard Ravitch as lieutenant governor.
The governor’s office says Cuomo couldn’t represent Paterson because he has a different opinion about the power of the governor to name a lieutenant governor. Earlier this week, Cuomo said such a move would be unconstitutional.
Instead, the state will pay for private lawyers to argue the governor’s case.
Paterson wants Ravitch to help resolve a power struggle that has deadlocked the state Senate since June 8.
Cuomo’s office says Thursday it doesn’t represent one government branch over another and the governor already has outside counsel.
Source: AP
