Spitzer Aide Cleared in Plot Against Bruno, Lawyer Says

ALBANY — The top aide that Governor Spitzer blamed and disciplined for a plot to smear the Senate Republican leader, Joseph Bruno, won't face criminal charges in the scandal, according to the ex-aide's attorney.

The former aide, Darren Dopp, was Mr. Spitzer's communications director in the governor's office and for two terms in the attorney general's office. Mr. Dopp has said he was following orders and the law when he compiled and disclosed to a reporter state police travel records concerning Mr. Bruno when he used state aircraft on days he attended Republican fundraisers.

"The district attorney and I met today in person," Mr. Dopp's attorney, Michael Koenig of Albany, said yesterday.

"He advised me that all matters between his office and my client are now concluded," he said.

A spokeswoman for the Albany County district attorney, P. David Soares, wouldn't comment. She said the investigation is expected to be complete this week.

Ms. Spitzer's spokeswoman, Anna Cordasco of the public relations firm of Sard Virbinnen & Co., wouldn't comment.

Mr. Spitzer resigned March 12 after being linked to a prostitution ring. That unrelated investigation came as his popularity was dragged down following the state aircraft scandal, which Bruno claimed was political espionage by Mr. Spitzer using state police.

In July, the New York attorney general, Andrew Cuomo, concluded Mr. Dopp and another aide, William Howard, committed no crime, but engaged in misconduct by plotting to discredit Mr. Bruno.

In September, Mr. Soares also concluded the aides didn't commit any crime, but disagreed with Cuomo, saying there was no evidence of a plot against Mr. Bruno. Mr. Soares, however, took another look at Mr. Dopp's testimony after there appeared to have been conflicts between what Mr. Dopp told Mr. Soares and what he told the state Public Integrity Commission in its continuing investigation. Mr. Koenig's statement yesterday came as a published report stated that, contrary to Mr. Spitzer's public comments, the former governor directed and pushed Mr. Dopp to compile the travel data about Mr. Bruno. The New York Times, citing unnamed sources, reported yesterday that Mr. Spitzer ordered Mr. Dopp and another aide to release the travel data from state police.