NY Gov. David Paterson Fined $62,000 Over "Free" World Series Tickets
NEW YORK (CBS/AP) Turns out those "free" tickets New York Gov. David Paterson used to attend the first game of the 2009 World Series at Yankee Stadium were anything but.
The state's Commission on Public Integrity has fined the Democratic governor $62, 125, following allegations that he violated state ethics by using the five tickets, and then falsely claiming he always intended to pay for them.
"The moral and ethical tone of any organization is set at the top. Unfortunately, the governor set a totally inappropriate tone by his dishonest and unethical conduct," said commission chairman Michael Cherkasky. "Such conduct cannot be tolerated by any New York State employee, particularly our governor."In a report released Monday, the commission said Paterson performed no ceremonial function at the game, which still would not have entitled him to free tickets for his son and son's friend. The others were used by Paterson and two staff members. He and two of his staff paid for four of the tickets a few days later.
The civil penalty consists of the $2,125 value of the tickets and $60,000 for three violations of the state's public officer's law, according to the commission.
There was a question whether Paterson gave "intentionally false testimony" to the commission about having written an $850 check in advance for two tickets, said special counsel Judith Kaye, the state's former chief judge, in an August report.
However, Kaye said the perjury issue was "clouded" by the way Paterson's commission testimony was given, with the entries read aloud to the legally blind governor, instead of him personally examining a check that was not filled out in his own handwriting.
Theodore Wells Jr., Paterson's lawyer, said then that the governor didn't lie and noted Kaye's report did not recommend bringing charges.
Albany County District Attorney P. David Soares said in August the case was under consideration but they would have no comment until the review was complete.