ALBANY -- The State Commission of Investigation will examine previous and current probes into whether two of former Gov. Eliot Spitzer's aides attempted to sabotage a political opponent with the help of the state police, agency Chairman Alfred Lerner said Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Democratic Gov. David Paterson -- who replaced Spitzer after he was connected to a prostitution ring and resigned in disgrace -- is asking Attorney General Andrew Cuomo to investigate the state police to determine whether politics has inappropriately interfered with their work.
"Combining politics and police work is a toxic brew," Cuomo said in a written statement Tuesday. "Any questions about political interference within the state police are a serious concern. Our investigation will determine whether or not this has occurred within the state police, and if so to what extent."
Paterson officials would not be more specific Tuesday afternoon about why the governor sought the investigation, first reported Tuesday by the New York Post.
State police did not return multiple calls made Tuesday.
The State Commission of Investigation won't evaluate whether the Democratic Spitzer administration acted illegally or unethically when state police were asked to collect Senate Republican Majority Leader Joseph Bruno's travel records.
The commission will evaluate investigations by Albany County District Attorney P. David Soares, State Inspector General Kristine Hamann and the State Commission on Public Integrity.
"We are concerned that the multiplicity of investigations has been somewhat dysfunctional," said Lerner, who was appointed by former Gov. George Pataki, a Republican. "As a result of that, we thought it would be appropriate for us to determine whether these processes could be improved. It's no secret that many people in this state have lost confidence in these investigations."
State statute gives the commission broad authority to investigate potential corruption, fraud and mismanagement in government.
It will not investigate Cuomo, who found the administration aides engaged in misconduct, but did not break the law.
"Combining politics and police work is a toxic brew," Cuomo said in a written statement Tuesday. "Any questions about political interference within the state police are a serious concern. Our investigation will determine whether or not this has occurred within the state police, and if so to what extent."
Paterson officials would not be more specific Tuesday afternoon about why the governor sought the investigation, first reported Tuesday by the New York Post.
State police did not return multiple calls made Tuesday.
The State Commission of Investigation won't evaluate whether the Democratic Spitzer administration acted illegally or unethically when state police were asked to collect Senate Republican Majority Leader Joseph Bruno's travel records.
The commission will evaluate investigations by Albany County District Attorney P. David Soares, State Inspector General Kristine Hamann and the State Commission on Public Integrity.
"We are concerned that the multiplicity of investigations has been somewhat dysfunctional," said Lerner, who was appointed by former Gov. George Pataki, a Republican. "As a result of that, we thought it would be appropriate for us to determine whether these processes could be improved. It's no secret that many people in this state have lost confidence in these investigations."
State statute gives the commission broad authority to investigate potential corruption, fraud and mismanagement in government.
It will not investigate Cuomo, who found the administration aides engaged in misconduct, but did not break the law.
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