Paterson Press Secretary Resigns

MYFOXNY.COM/AP - Marissa Shorenstein, the press secretary for NY Governor David Paterson, has resigned amid the domestic abuse scandal involving a top aide to the governor.  The 30-year-old reportedly contacted the woman at the direction of the governor.

Shorenstein is the fourth staffer to resign in recent months.

She issued the following statement on Wednesday afternoon:

"It has been a privilege to serve New York State for the past two years and I thank the Governor for giving me the opportunity to do so....

"Due to the circumstances that have led to my unwitting involvement in recent news stories, I can no longer do my job effectively. Throughout my career I have performed my duties professionally and with integrity, basing my actions on what I believed to be true at the time...

"I therefore tender my resignation as Press Secretary to the Governor."

Communications director Peter Kauffmann resigned earlier this month citing an inability to work for an administration plagued by scandals that threaten the jobs of Paterson and those he directed.

The deputy public safety secretary and the state police superintendent also resigned.

Paterson's close aide, David Johnson, is accused of beating his ex-girlfriend, Sherruna Booker, at her Bronx apartment in October 2009. Booker initially told police Johnson had choked her and requested an order of protection. She later failed to appear in court and judge dismissed the case.

Booker has claimed that State Troopers harassed her to drop the case.

In February, Paterson reportedly spoke with Booker on the phone about the case against Johnson. The governor has said he was only offering to help Booker if she needed anything.

On Wednesday afternoon, Governor Paterson announced the appointment of Morgan Hook as Director of Communications. According to a press release, Hook has managed Paterson's Albany press office since May of 2008 and most recently served as Upstate Press Secretary.