Sean Patrick Maloney, one of Governor David Paterson's top aides and a former attorney-general candidate, is leaving his $178,000-a-year post, according to a source. Rumors about his impending departure have been floating for weeks. Maloney, who worked in the Clinton White House, was one of the few remaining high-level holdovers from the Spitzer administration and was close to Charles O'Byrne, Paterson's former chief of staff, who resigned amid a tax scandal. A source says Maloney will be stepping down before the end of the year and that Paterson has selected a replacement for him. Reached by telephone, Maloney had no comment.

Update: The governor just released a statement. The departure was Maloney's idea. In January he'll become a partner at law firm Kirkland & Ellis.

Earlier: Charles O’Byrne Out, Other Paterson Aides to Follow?