City comptroller John Liu calls for Council probe into Bloomberg's handling of Goldsmith's arrest

BY Reuven Blau
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Tuesday, September 6th 2011, 4:00 AM

Daniel Acker/Bloomberg

John Liu, New York City comptroller, insists that Bloomberg reveal more details about Goldsmith's arrest and resignation.

City pols kept the pressure on Mayor Bloomberg Monday for refusing to come clean about his former deputy mayor's domestic violence arrest.

"I think the people of New York City have a right to know more and to hear the words from the mayor himself," Controller John Liu said.

"The City Council has the function of legislative oversight and that check on the executive branch could not be more critical than now," Liu told reporters.

He joined a drumbeat of lawmakers calling on the City Council to investigate Hizzoner's handling of Stephen Goldsmith's domestic violence arrest at his Washington home and Aug. 4 resignation days later. At the time, Bloomberg said Goldsmith was leaving to chase private sector bucks - and he's standing up for his actions.

"I just don't think we should get involved in making a situation any worse," he insisted Monday. "What takes place in another jurisdiction - we're not familiar with their procedures and we shouldn't be commenting on them."

Liu ripped that reasoning.

"The explanation doesn't cut it. We're talking about a deputy mayor who was in charge of the most critical operations for 8.5 million people."

Public Advocate Bill de Blasio scoffed that Bloomberg "was looking out for his own reputation, not Goldsmith's."