Edward Kennedy's office said Tuesday that the senator has not reached out to New York officials about the possible appointment of his niece, Caroline, to the U.S. Senate, sharply disputing an anonymously sourced story in the New York Times Tuesday.

"Senator Kennedy has not contacted anyone in New York regarding the possibility of Caroline Kennedy serving in the Senate," Kennedy's spokesman, Anthony Coley, said in a statement.

The Times article cited Democratic aides who said Kennedy has called New York Gov. David Paterson, U.S. Sens. Charles Schumer and Robert Menendez about the prospect of appointing his niece to U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton's seat when she steps down to become secretary of state.

Under New York state law, Paterson will appoint Clinton's replacement.

Coley's statement also contradicts a New York Post story that made waves on Sunday that said Kennedy had contacted Paterson.