US / David Paterson NY Governor's Top Aide Quits Over Tax Row Deputy blames his $300K in unpaid taxes on 'late-filing syndrome' By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff Posted Oct 25, 2008 2:48 AM CDT Copied New York Gov. David Paterson, right, and Charles O'Byrne, chief of staff, are seen in Albany, N.Y. on July 15, 2008. (AP Photo/Mike Groll, file) The chief aide to New York's governor has resigned after it was revealed that he failed to pay taxes for 5 years, the New York Times reports. David Paterson’s top deputy, Charles O'Byrne, built up a $300,000 backlog of taxes from 2001. He was suffering from depression at the time and blames the non-payment on "late-filing" syndrome. O'Byrne, an ex-priest, was the governor's right-hand man, playing a central role in almost all of the administration's decision-making. He had a reputation in the state capital for being capable but sometimes aggressive. Paterson initially stood by O'Byrne after news of the non-payment broke, but the scandal seemed likely to start overshadowing the governor's efforts to balance the state budget. (More David Paterson stories.) Report an error