NY governor’s aide arraigned on assault charge in case that triggered tampering probe

NY governor’s aide arraigned on assault charge

NEW YORK — An aide to New York Gov. David Paterson has been arraigned on an assault charge stemming from a 2009 domestic violence case that touched off an evidence-tampering investigation.

David Johnson turned himself in to investigators with the Bronx district attorney’s office Thursday on misdemeanor charges. He was arraigned later Thursday and released on his own recognizance.

The case stems from a confrontation on Halloween. His then-girlfriend, Sherr-una Booker, called police to say Johnson had choked her and thrown her against a mirror.

Booker’s initial claim against Johnson led to an investigation of whether Paterson intervened in the case. A judge cleared Paterson of wrongdoing.