 Giuliani defended her, saying that he did not care whether his press secretary pleased reporters, and at one point gave Lategano a higher post as communications director and a $25,000 raise during a time when his office had called a budget crisis.In one incident, Lategano called newsrooms alleging improprieties by one of previous Mayor Dinkins' appointees.The allegations were later found to be false, and reporters said that the allegations by Lategano were meant to divert attention from tax improprieties of one of Giuliani's own appointees.