Published reports say a top aide to Gov. David Paterson is leaving state government after he was accused of intimidation by a member of the state Liquor Authority.
The New York Daily News and The New York Post report that Carl Andrews, Paterson's deputy secretary for intergovernmental affairs, will step down after this month to start his own political consulting and lobbying firm.
The former state Senator from Brooklyn made $171,000 a year in his post.
The state Inspector General's Office is investigating whether Andrews tried to pressure the chairman of the authority to renew a liquor license for restaurants owned by the Cipriani family, which include the Rainbow Room in New York City.
The chairman was appointed by former Gov. George Pataki.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
