New York Governor David Paterson’s racial discrimination cost his state’s taxpayers $300.000.

Shortly after becoming NY senate minority leaders in 2003, Paterson fired the white senate photographer – action first filed in 2005 by Joseph Maioriello, 56 – because he wanted to hire a black staffer. Instead of accepting this kind of disrimination, Maioriello decided to fight. He filed action in 2005 and sought $1.5 million in damages.

Paterson denied any wrongdoing but most were convinced that he had indeed discriminated against Maioriello. The governor seemingly understood this as well and reached a settlement earlier this week with the former senate photographer. Maioriello will receive $300.000 in a damages.

The size of the settlement indicates that Paterson and his advisers feared they could not win the law suit. And probably rightfully so: the case against the governor was strong. (more…)