Paterson aide seeks inquiry into NY Times’ role in false rumors that flowed from its reporting

Paterson aide wants inquiry of NY Times’ reporting

ALBANY, N.Y. — Gov. David Paterson’s chief of staff is seeking an internal inquiry into how The New York Times’ reporting of a story led to unproven rumors of wild, personal misconduct by Paterson.

Paterson Chief of Staff Lawrence Schwartz released a letter late Tuesday that he sent to Clark Hoyt, the public editor of the Times. In the letter, Schwartz blames the newspaper for failing to stem the rumors, even after direct appeals.

Schwartz says the newspaper could have issued a public statement to end the unsubstantiated rumors that Paterson partied with women and drugs as governor.

Times spokeswoman Diane McNulty says the newspaper isn’t responsible for what other news outlets and blogs reported. Hoyt did not immediately respond to Schwartz’s request for an inquiry.