NY Gov. Paterson says rumors of wild behavior in governor’s mansion are dying

NY governor says rumors that haunted him are dying

ALBANY, N.Y. — New York Gov. David Paterson says he believes an anticipated story by The New York Times about his personal conduct won’t include much-rumored talk of wild behavior.

Paterson said Tuesday that an interview earlier in the day with the Times didn’t include questions about drug use in the governor’s mansion or carousing with women.

Such allegations have been the talk of Albany for days, and the New York Post ran a story Jan. 30 saying he was caught by state police in a utility closet with a woman other than his wife. The Post has stood by its story.

Paterson said at a news conference the only way he will leave office is through the ballot box and the only way he will leave early is “in a box.”

Times spokeswoman Diane C. McNulty says that the newspaper is not responsible for what other organizations report and that the rumors had not come from her publication.