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Jul 24, 2007 8:08 pm US/Eastern
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Top Republican: 'Seedy Side To This Governor'
GOP Demands Investigation Into 'Trooper-gate' Scandal
by Marcia Kramer
ALBANY (CBS) ―
Top Republicans are demanding that Gov. Eliot Spitzer's actions in the so-called "Trooper-gate" scandal be investigated. The governor could be subpoenaed and the federal government might be called in to investigate.
Senate Investigations Committee member Martin Golden said Attorney General Andrew Cuomo's probe of the scandal didn't go far enough.
"I think there is need for a further look, a new investigation into who knew what and who knew it when," Golden told CBS 2 HD. "That would involve the governor. That would involve the governor's chief of staff. That would involve the entire administration.
"There is a seedy side to this governor."
Golden said Spitzer and his chief of staff, Richard Baum, should also be put on the hot seat over their knowledge of the administration's plot to discredit Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno with a manufactured story about misuse of state aircraft. Golden said the senate will look at it and that federal probers should be called in, too.
"I believe that this can move into a criminal case," Golden said. "I believe there is a possibility if the feds look at this, the e-mails, the altering of documents and the misuse of police powers and the Freedom of Information Act, there could be more to come of this."
In Buffalo on Tuesday, Spitzer said his suspension of Communications Director Darren Dopp, and the reassignment of Homeland Security aide William Howard should close the matter
"I have imposed sanctions," Spitzer said. "We are ready to stand for integrity in government."
Political experts say the governor's actions are not enough, that Dopp, Howard and Baum should be fired
"Now that the proverbial blood is in the water people are going to be looking for things," said Baruch College Prof. Doug Muzzio.
So when will Spitzer's troubles end? Well, if Republicans have their way not for a long, long time.
Bruno has not spoken publicly about the scandal, but he issued a statement that made it clear he feels the governor still has more to answer for in what he called "this still unfolding situation."
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