Pataki Will Not Run, "I want to be with Bob!"

Albany, 4/14/05, WPI- NYS Gov. George Pataki announced that he will not seek reelection in November so that, “Bob and I might spend our twilight years together, out of the public eye.” Pataki was referring to his close companion, Robert “Bob” King, former State University of New York Chancellor.

It had long been rumored that the relationship between the governor and King ran deep. Taxpayers and political opponents often pointed out that King was handed high paying, low demand jobs for which he was highly unqualified. King was SUNY chancellor for five years, went belly-up as an attorney and sucked as Monroe County executive. However, he was a former “colleague” of Pataki in the state Assembly. King was criticized for his lack of a doctoral degree and academic experience when he was appointed by Pataki, in 1999, to the $250,000-a-year job. The job included little perks such as a $90,000 annual housing allowance and a chauffeur-driven car. The two men were often seen cruising in the limo drinking champagne.

The latest controversy involves a proposal for SUNY to give King a $206,000-a-year “professorship” as part of his severance plan! If granted, he'll join seven other previous administrators who have collected more than $1 million by being given the system's highest rank of "university professor." King’s qualifications: He taught business law at St. John Fisher College for a little while and “trial tactics” at a Texas school for district attorneys. Not a college or anything, a “school for district attorneys.”

Pataki appealed to the SUNY board of trustees, which he appointed, “Both Bob and I have our pensions, but we have our eye on a beautiful Bed and Breakfast on Fire Island. We plan to buy it and fix it up.” The governor added, “It’s been our dream for decades,”

Some people, including about 25 million NY taxpayers, see the appointment as a political and personal gift of little benefit to SUNY, and at their expense.

Pataki responded to these criticisms saying, “If you only knew Bob like I do. He is such a wonderful man, and a really great lay, if you only knew, you wouldn’t quibble!”