PATAKI BOOTS 'BOUDIN' PAROLE CHIEF

By FREDRIC U. DICKER

December 12, 2003 -- ALBANY - Gov. Pataki has decided to replace longtime state Parole Board Chairman Brion Travis - four months after he was blamed for the controversial parole of convicted radical killer Kathy Boudin, officials said yesterday.

Pataki's office said Travis, 52, was being shifted to a new post at the state Insurance Department, although his official biography shows he's a criminal-justice expert with no background in insurance issues.

Pataki was highly critical of the Aug. 20 decision to release Boudin - who was convicted of felony murder and robbery after a 1981 Brinks armored car heist in Rockland County that left two police officers and a security guard dead.

He said at the time that "I am thoroughly disappointed and disagree" with the decision.

Pataki spokeswoman Lynn Rasic insisted Travis was not being punished. But administration sources said Travis has been out of favor since Boudin's release.

Meanwhile, Westchester Judge Kenneth Lange ruled against several police organizations seeking to nullify the parole board's release of Boudin.