New Jersey Gov. Jim McGreevey had state troopers escort him to Golan Cipel’s home for months, sometimes letting them cool their heels for hours, a bombshell new report says.

Many of the visits occurred from November 2001 to April 2002, while the two were living one-tenth of a mile apart in Woodbridge, N.J., where McGreevey had been mayor, the Star-Ledger reported yesterday.

Sometimes, the governor had the troopers drop him off at Cipel’s apartment and pick him up later, the newspaper said. Other times, they waited for him outside.

Occasionally, McGreevey would dismiss the troopers, saying he would simply walk home.

Some troopers were uncomfortable with the visits, especially those forced to wait outside Cipel’s apartment late at night, the newspaper said.

But they didn’t go public because of the pledge of confidentiality that comes with serving in the unit.

The newspaper said the visits were always after business hours – sometimes at night – and lasted from a few minutes to a few hours.

On at least one occasion, the governor kept the troopers waiting from 11 p.m. until 1 a.m.

McGreevey announced his resignation two weeks ago, citing the circumstances surrounding an affair he had with a man.

The governor did not name him at the time, but aides said the reference was to Cipel, an Israeli who served as McGreevey’s homeland-security adviser and his counsel. Cipel, who insists he is straight, has accused McGreevey of sexually harassing him.

The governor’s office and the State Police declined to comment on the report.

Cipel’s lawyer, Allen Lowy, said, “I can’t get into that. That subject may be addressed if there’s going to be a trial, and I can’t get into that.”

McGreevey was assigned troopers from the State Police’s executive-protection unit when he was elected governor in November 2001. The escorted visits began soon afterward, the report said. A McGreevey friend was quoted as saying the relationship didn’t become sexual until shortly after the election, and ended in the spring of 2002.

“It was becoming too complicated and was something the governor couldn’t continue,” the friend said.

Yesterday, McGreevey made his first public appearance since announcing his resignation, signing two bills to promote economic development in Atlantic City.

But he refused to answer questions, ducking behind a curtain onstage.