Woman in Paterson aide scandal meets with prosecutors
An undated photo of Sherr-una Booker, the woman at the center of a domestic violence scandal involving a former aide to Gov. David A. Paterson. Credit: Handout
The woman at the center of a domestic violence scandal involving a former aide to Gov. David A. Paterson met with Bronx prosecutors Friday in an effort to bring criminal charges.
A spokesman for Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson said that Sherr-Una Booker, 41, showed up and spoke to a domestic violence investigator for about two hours.
While spokesman Steven Reed didn't disclose the substance of the meeting, Booker's lawyer indicated to reporters earlier that she was there to recount an Oct. 31 incident in which Paterson aide David Johnson, with whom Booker was living, allegedly shoved her and tore her dress.
"We hope to hold Mr. [David] Johnson accountable for what he did to Ms. Booker," said attorney Ken Thompson outside the prosecutor's office.
Reed would only say "it shouldn't be too long" when asked when prosecutors would decide if charges were warranted.
Last year, police decided not to bring charges and referred Booker to Family Court, where she sought an order of protection. The Family Court case was later dropped after Booker didn't appear for a February hearing. She has alleged that state officials pressured her to drop the matter.
In news interviews this week, Booker said she wanted to revive the domestic violence case. If Bronx investigators bring a case, it would likely be assault, which can be a misdemeanor or felony, legal experts said. Any case would probably wind up in domestic violence court in the Bronx, which hears about 2,700 cases a year, about 60 percent of which are dismissed, court data shows.
David Johnson's attorney Oscar Michelen insists he did nothing to warrant any charges and sent Bronx prosecutors a letter saying that he wanted an opportunity to talk with them after they interview Booker. Michelen said his client has been suspended without pay since early this year and wants to put the matter to rest.
Paterson's attorney Ted Wells said Thursday that the governor hadn't done anything wrong and was cooperating with a larger probe being conducted by former New York State Chief Judge Judith Kaye.
