David Mack rebuffed New York Gov. David Paterson’s call to step down as vice chairman of the board at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and as a board member of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey last week.
The call came after Attorney General Andrew Cuomo released a report that said Mack had not cooperated in an investigation into political influence at the state police. The investigation found that Mack, a real estate developer and supporter of former Gov. George Pataki, had been appointed in 1995 to the newly created post of deputy superintendent of state police despite having no law enforcement experience.
Mack refused to answer any questions, invoking his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination 37 times, Cuomo said in a statement. The report said Mack appeared to have been appointed to the post, which he held until 2007, for political reasons.
“We believe that Gov. Paterson is 100% correct and applaud his call for Mr. Mack’s resignations,” Cuomo said in a statement. “Law enforcement positions should not be used for political patronage.”
Mack’s terms at the authorities have expired but he can continue to serve until a replacement has been confirmed. Paterson withdrew a renomination that was to go before the Senate last week. Paterson and Cuomo were looking into legal means to remove Mack, according to reports.
The report also said it was investigating whether former New York Power Authority inspector general Daniel Wiese had obstructed justice by possibly destroying documents related to the state police investigation. Wiese had been the commanding officer of Pataki’s security detail.
