A judge has issued a restraining order blocking Richard Ravitch from serving as New York Gov. David Paterson’s lieutenant governor.

State Supreme Court Justice William LaMarca in Nassau County issued his ruling late Tuesday afternoon.

Paterson appointed Ravitch, a former head of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, earlier this month as a way of breaking a monthlong leadership deadlock in the state Senate.

Attorneys for the state Senate argued that the state constitution does not allow for the appointment of a lieutenant governor when a vacancy occurs. The governor’s attorney says a state law allows him to fill some vacant posts until the next election.

The appointment appeared to succeed. Rebel Democratic Sen. Pedro Espada dropped a month-long affiliation with Senate Republicans and returned to his party.

That ended a month-long stalemate in the statehouse. But it set off the court fight over Ravitch’s appointment.

A Senate attorney contends the appointment of Ravitch is unconstitutional. Paterson’s lawyer says the governor is within his rights.

The hearing took place in Nassau County, home to Republican Dean Skelos, the Senate minority leader.

(Source: WCBSTV)