Paterson Weighs Race as Top Aide Quits in Protest

The governor’s top criminal justice adviser, Denise E. O’Donnell, resigned, saying it was “unacceptable” that Mr. Paterson and the State Police had made contact with a woman who was seeking an order of protection against the aide, and that she could not “in good conscience” remain in the administration.

As calls grew for the governor to end his candidacy, Mr. Paterson said he would consult with party leaders over the next few days and reflect on his future.

“I am not suspending my campaign, but I am talking to a number of elected officials around the state, as I would fellow Democrats, to give their opinion,” the governor said at a brief news conference Thursday evening. He added: “I’ve got an open mind about this thing. I want the Democrats to win in November.”

The office of Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo, whom the governor asked on Wednesday to investigate his administration’s handling of the case, released a statement saying that it would “determine if criminal or other wrongdoing is involved.”

The case involved David W. Johnson, 37, an aide and a confidant of the governor, who was accused by a longtime companion of assaulting her last Halloween. The woman told the New York City police that Mr. Johnson had choked her, stripped her of much of her clothing, smashed her against a dresser and prevented her from calling for help.

She was twice granted a temporary order of protection against Mr. Johnson, but she also complained in court that the State Police had been harassing her to drop the matter.

Mr. Paterson also spoke to the woman, in a phone call on Feb. 7, the day before she was scheduled to appear in court to seek a final protective order. She did not show up the next day, resulting in the dismissal of the case.

On Thursday, more questions emerged about the role of State Police officials, who earlier described their contact with the woman as an effort to offer her counseling and let her know of “her options.” Two people briefed on the matter said that Maj. Charles Day, the head of the governor’s security detail, personally contacted her. Such a step is unusual, former and current state officials said, given Major Day’s high position within the department and the fact that the State Police had no jurisdiction in the matter.

Major Day, asked whether he had talked to the woman, paused and said, “You know what, I’m not savvy in the ways of the newspapers, but I can’t comment on an ongoing investigation.”

New information also challenged Mr. Paterson’s claim on Wednesday night that his phone conversation with the woman on Feb. 7 was initiated by her. The woman’s lawyer, Lawrence B. Saftler, said Thursday that she had been called by an intermediary for the governor, who told her to call Mr. Paterson, and that she then did so. The administration did not dispute that account.

Mr. Saftler also disputed the governor’s claim that the call had focused on rumors circulating about the governor’s private life. Mr. Saftler said that the conversation lasted about a minute, that Mr. Paterson had asked if the woman was all right, and that he had concluded by saying, “If you need me, I’m here for you.”

The woman has asked not to be identified because she fears retaliation.

Mr. Paterson did not appear at his state office on Thursday, and in his only appearances seemed weary, his voice hoarse. In a radio appearance in the morning, he said, “I’ll just let the facts come out, and I think that will be the best way for it to work, and it will be the best thing for me.”

He also said that he became aware of the disturbing allegations involved in the case only on Wednesday. But a senior administration official, speaking on the condition of anonymity because of the continuing investigation, contradicted that account, saying the governor had been apprised several weeks ago.