Paterson Spent $700k on Lawyers

Gov. David Paterson isn't running for re-election, but his campaign committee is still spending big -- on lawyers.

The committee says in a campaign filing that it paid $700,000 over the past four months to a law firm representing the governor in three public integrity investigations.

An independent counsel appointed by the state's attorney general is investigating whether the Paterson administration or the State Police pressured a woman into withdrawing a domestic violence complaint against one of the governor's aides.

Paterson reportedly testified before the Attorney General's investigators late last month on the matter. Sources have said investigators have found little direct evidence the governor committed a crime.

Paterson is also being probed for accepting free Yankees tickets and for his handling of a casino contract at the Aqueduct racetrack.

The governor says he is innocent of any wrongdoing. His campaign manager, Richard Fife, stopped short of confirming Paterson testified in connection with the domestic-violence case, but told the Daily News he "looks forward to the investigation being concluded and his name being cleared."