Patrick: No Paperwork On Ex-Highway Safety Director's Hiring

Gov. Deval Patrick says officials have been unable to determine who in his administration hired former highway safety director Sheila Burgess because the original paperwork cannot be located.

Burgess resigned last week after a report that her personal driving record included multiple accidents and traffic violations. Burgess had no experience in highway safety but had been a Democratic Party fundraiser and consultant before being hired for the state post in 2007.

During his monthly "Ask the Governor" program on WTKK-FM, Patrick said Wednesday that officials are trying to "get to the bottom" of Burgess' employment but that in the "normal course" of events, the documentation no longer exists.

Patrick again used the term "screw up" to describe the Burgess episode and said as governor he ultimately accepts responsibility for it.