Ethics Panel Cites 4 Aides to Spitzer for Violations; Crossed Line in 'Troopergate'
By ARI PAUL
Four former state officials were accused July 24 of misusing state police resources in an attempt to sully the character of then-Governor Spitzer's prime political foe, former State Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno.

JOSEPH L. BRUNO: Foes nailed trying to nail him.

Former Spitzer aides Richard Baum, Darren Dopp and William Howard, as well as former state Police Superintendent Preston Felton, were charged by the state Public Integrity Commission for logging Mr. Bruno's travel and releasing records obtained from the State Police to a journalist in an effort to show that he had used government vehicles, including state aircraft, last year to attend Republican Party events, hold fund-raisers and meet with lobbyists.

A Conspiracy to Discredit

The commission charged that the individuals were aware that their efforts were a part of a conspiracy to discredit Mr. Bruno rather than part of the routine of law enforcement. It noted that the Governor's aides had already concluded that Senator Bruno's use of state aircraft was not in violation of regulations.

An investigation last summer by the State Attorney General's Office cleared Mr. Bruno of wrongdoing in his use of state aircraft, saying that any abuses that may have occurred during trips that had more to do with political business than state matters were the result of a weakness in the law as currently written governing state travel.

Mr. Dopp was one of the first casualties of that earlier probe, resigning under pressure last summer as Mr. Spitzer sought to put distance between himself and the actions of his subordinates. Mr. Baum and Mr. Howard later left state government, and Mr. Felton retired earlier this year at the same time that Mr. Spitzer resigned following revelations that he had patronized a high-priced call girl ring on numerous occasions while traveling on what was supposed to be state business.

Bruno Left Under Cloud

Mr. Bruno gave up his post as Majority Leader in late June and relinquished his Senate seat less than a month later. He has denied that his retirement from state government was related to an ongoing Federal probe of his private business dealings.

Mssrs. Felton and Dopp face fines of $10,000, while the other two charged settled cases with no punishment.

The commission's report on the case stated, "Such misconduct erodes public confidence in the integrity and independence of the state police."