A former U.S. Attorney stepped down as New York Gov. David Paterson’s deputy secretary for public safety, citing a New York Times report ^[1] that the governor may have inappropriately interceded in harassment allegations involving one of his aides.

Denise O'Donnell (gov)

Ex-U.S. Attorney Denise O’Donnell, who served in the Western District of New York from 1998 to 2001, said in a statement ^[2] that communication by the governor and state police with a woman who requested a protective order against Paterson aide David Johnson, was “unacceptable regardless of their intent.”

The unnamed woman accused the aide of a brutal assault last year, The Times said. The woman said she was harassed to withdraw her case by the state police. An official from the governor’s personal security force also visited her, according to the newspaper. In addition, Paterson called her on the phone this month before a court hearing on her case, which was dismissed because she didn’t appear, The Times said.

O’Donnell said she was initially told that local police — not state police — were working on the case.

“It was only last night when I learned from press reports the contrary details, including the involvement of the State Police,” O’Donnell said in her statement. “For these reasons, I am resigning my position as Commissioner of the Division of Criminal Justice Services and Deputy Secretary of Public Safety effective today.”

Paterson has declined to comment on the alleged impropriety, which is being investigated by New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, according ^[3] to Reuters. Johnson has been suspended, Reuters said.

O’Donnell is considering a possible run for New York attorney general this year, according ^[2] to the NY Daily News.