ALBANY - Gov. David Paterson nominated Harry Corbitt Monday to be the superintendent of state police, replacing Preston Felton who played a role in a political scandal involving former Gov. Eliot Spitzer.
Corbitt, who retired as a colonel from the state police in 2004, is a former deputy superintendent of internal affairs for the agency. In a 26-year career, he served in the Canandaigua area in western New York until 1984, then was in charge of the Basic School at the State Police Academy in Albany. He later served as commander of Troop T in charge of the Thruway and deputy superintendent for employee relations.
Felton became entangled in the first scandal to wrack the Spitzer administration when two executive aides were accused of misusing state police records to embarrass Senate Republican leader Joseph Bruno.
Felton was criticized for having the state police recreate records to provide information about Bruno's use of state aircraft on trips that involved GOP fundraisers.
Shortly after Paterson became governor following Spitzer's March 12 resignation amid a prostitution scandal, the 49-year-old Felton offered his resignation. Paterson said the departure was not related to the travel records scandal.
That 2007 case is under investigation by the state Public Integrity Commission.
Felton was the first black to head the force, if only in an acting capacity, withdrawing his own retirement papers while a national search was done to replace Wayne Bennett, who retired.
When the Spitzer administration appeared ready to consider nominating Felton, the scandal involving Bruno's use of state aircraft complicated possible confirmation by the Senate, which is led by Bruno.
If Corbitt is confirmed by the Senate, he will be the state's first black state police superintendent. His annual salary would be $136,000.
Daniel De Federicis, president of the New York state Troopers Police Benevolent Association, said the organization is “cautiously optimistic” about Corbitt's nomination.
He said PBA members hope Corbitt makes trooper safety a top priority.
Felton became entangled in the first scandal to wrack the Spitzer administration when two executive aides were accused of misusing state police records to embarrass Senate Republican leader Joseph Bruno.
Felton was criticized for having the state police recreate records to provide information about Bruno's use of state aircraft on trips that involved GOP fundraisers.
Shortly after Paterson became governor following Spitzer's March 12 resignation amid a prostitution scandal, the 49-year-old Felton offered his resignation. Paterson said the departure was not related to the travel records scandal.
That 2007 case is under investigation by the state Public Integrity Commission.
Felton was the first black to head the force, if only in an acting capacity, withdrawing his own retirement papers while a national search was done to replace Wayne Bennett, who retired.
When the Spitzer administration appeared ready to consider nominating Felton, the scandal involving Bruno's use of state aircraft complicated possible confirmation by the Senate, which is led by Bruno.
If Corbitt is confirmed by the Senate, he will be the state's first black state police superintendent. His annual salary would be $136,000.
Daniel De Federicis, president of the New York state Troopers Police Benevolent Association, said the organization is “cautiously optimistic” about Corbitt's nomination.
He said PBA members hope Corbitt makes trooper safety a top priority.
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