"In Harlem, they wanted to turn it into a political patronage operation," Mr. Koch said.

The Republicans promised excellent services and delivered, largely thanks to a patronage operation that got out the vote for elections.

Over the years, the state athletic commission has been criticized as a political patronage operation.

Several feel they should not be paid - on the theory that with paid members the board takes on the aura of a patronage operation.

Some witnesses called it a patronage operation for politically connected job applicants.

News leaks in advance of hearings on Mayor Edward Koch's patronage operation suggested an inappropriate political agenda.

"But I did not want to have - nor did I have -a patronage operation."

"It's a well-functioning patronage operation," said one former director who had been appointed by Mr. Giuliani.

They included kickbacks and extortion in the Parking Violations Bureau and a broad patronage operation that had been billed as a "talent bank" to recruit minority laborers.

"I did not want to have - nor did I have - a patronage operation," the Mayor said.