Paterson Administration Avoids Kennedy Leak Investigation

New York, NY —

New York State's ethics commission has decided it will not formally investigate Governor Paterson's administration for leaks of Caroline Kennedy's confidential information. The Commission on Public Integrity made its announcement in a letter to three government watchdog groups that had requested the probe. Dick Dadey is the executive director of one of those groups, Citizens Union, and says he's frustrated with the ethics oversight process. "The current system is broken. We need a more accountable independent effort serving as a watchdog over government and our elected officials and their actions," Dadey says.

The Commission on Public Integrity has itself been troubled by allegations of ethical abuse. A spokesman for the commission says it only comments on findings of wrongdoing. Aides to Governor Paterson leaked and exaggerated personal information about Caroline Kennedy, after she withdrew her name from consideration for an open U.S. Senate seat.