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Thursday, March 15, 2007
By Globe Staff
Governor Deval Patrick today announced a major shakeup of his new administration that includes the resignation of the $72,000-a-year aide he hired for his wife and the addition of new communications and political advisers.
Amy Gorin, whose husband led Patrick's fund-raising committee during the campaign, was hired to handle scheduling and interview requests for Diane Patrick, a law partner at Ropes & Gray. Her resignation comes just 10 weeks into a new administration that has been dogged by missteps.
To help after several weeks of negative press, Joe Landolfi will take over as a senior communications adviser to the governor. Landolfi currently works in the department of administration and finance and has done public relations for several state agencies, according to the administration.
David Morales, currently a senior aide to Senate President Robert E. Travaglini, will become a senior adviser to the governor. He will work with Joan Wallace-Benjamin, Patrick's chief of staff, and advise the governor on policy and strategic planning.
"There is a lot of work to be done to deliver on the people's expectations for change – including a government that is more responsive to their needs," Patrick said in a statement. "These individuals have the skills and experience to help us get there. I look forward to their working with our existing team to implement my ambitious agenda for Massachusetts."
When Patrick hired Gorin, he became the first governor since Michael S. Dukakis to dedicate a staff member to his spouse. Her resignation comes less than a week after the governor announced that he would be spending more time with his family because Diane Patrick was suffering from exhaustion and depression.
Patrick said on both a personal and professional level Gorin will "continue to be a valued advisor and friend to me and Diane."
In the press release issued by the administration, Gorin said: "At this time, I want to be as helpful as I can to Diane as a friend and I feel that I can best accomplish that outside of the Executive Office."
Posted by the Boston Globe City & Region Desk at 04:14 PM
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