Paterson seeks smoke tax threat assessment

ALBANY, N.Y., Oct. 21 (UPI) -- New York Gov. David Paterson has asked federal prosecutors to assess the chances of violence if the state tries to collect cigarette taxes from Indian tribes.

Paterson sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice last month requesting the "threat assessment" and suggesting New York could require federal assistance in dealing with any unrest.

The letter was sent to the U.S. attorneys in three New York jurisdictions amid heated opposition to the proposed levies on cigarettes sold on tribal lands.

The Buffalo (N.Y.) News said Wednesday that Paterson is coming under increased pressure from lawmakers to force American Indians to collect takes on the high volume of cigarettes sold in smoke shops and by mail and Internet.

Sources told the News the letter might have been an attempt by Paterson to scuttle the tax-collection effort and blame it on the potential for violence.