Former JCOPE Commissioner Ravi Batra is clearly still upset over the now week-old conversation between Gov. Andrew Cuomo and former Gov. David Paterson on the latter’s drive-time radio show.

Batra on Thursday sent a letter to the bosses at WOR radio requesting that the interview tapes not be destroyed and that the colorful former ethics board member have a chance to respond on the air to the criticism.

As I recall, Cuomo didn’t criticize Batra directly, instead he took a not-so-veiled swipe at Senate Minority Leader John Sampson for appointing him in the first place, saying it was a “reflection” on him. I do think both Cuomo and Paterson agreed that Batra is an “odd fellow.”

Remember, in American libel and slander cases, the burden of proof is on the offended party, so Batra would have to show he is, indeed, not “odd.” More pertinently, Batra would likely be considered a public figure, given his media exposure.

Here’s the full letter:

091312 WOR RADIO LTR_20120913181736

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