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New York State Police Superintendent Harry Corbitt says he will leave office at the end of Wednesday.

Calls have been growing for the governor to fire Corbitt as the investigation grows into a domestic abuse case involving one of Paterson's top aides.

During an exclusive interview with NY1's sister station in Albany, Corbitt said his decision to head back into retirement is in the best interest of New Yorkers.

"The real reason that I am retiring is two fold -- working as a superintendent in the office of superintendent there needs to be this public perception that the person serving in that position is trustworthy and forthright and has the best interests of the citizens of the State of New York in mind," Corbitt said. "This media firestorm has really destroyed my ability to function in that capacity."

Corbitt also was critical of the state’s former Deputy Public Safety Director, Denise O'Donnell, who quit her job in protest last week in response to the scandal.

"Denise O’Donnell said she retired or resigned, excuse me, based on something she read in a newspaper report and she also indicated that she believed that information that I provided was falsely reported. It’s a clear indication to me that the press has been so strong in pushing this agenda or pushing this issue that it became even believable for her," Corbitt said.

Corbitt, who first retired as a colonel from the State Police in 2004, was nominated by Paterson to replace acting superintendent Preston Felton who served under former governor Eliot Spitzer.

Speaking to reporters briefly Tuesday, the governor said Corbitt worked very hard and says the state will "move forward now and look to see who will be the best person to lead the State Police."

Meanwhile, in yet another exclusive interview Tuesday, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said Paterson should step down if the allegations of misconduct prove to be true

"The allegations that have been made are very, very serious. Attorney General Cuomo is going to run a thorough investigation, I expect everyone in the administration to cooperate fully with that investigation," Gillibrand said. "But at the end of the day if the allegations of abuse of power are true then the Governor will be unable to govern and he will have to step down."

Governor Paterson spent Tuesday meeting with top Democratic leaders in Albany to discuss the upcoming budget.

Published reports say Paterson was directly involved in trying to get a woman to drop assault charges against aide David Johnson.

The governor reportedly told a press secretary and another state employee to contact the woman before she was due in court to finalize an order of protection.

The assault case was dropped when the accuser failed to show up for a hearing.

Despite calls to resign, the governor has said he has no plans to step aside.

Also on Tuesday, the New York chapter of the National Organization for Women called for the governor's immediate resignation, saying, "This latest news is very disappointing for those of us who believed the Governor was a strong advocate for women's equality and for ending violence against women."