Posted on 03/03/2010 9:51:00 AM PST by Free ThinkerNY
Albany, NY - The New York State Commission on Public Integrity today charged Gov. David Paterson with violating the gift ban of the states ethics laws when he secured free tickets to the first game of the 2009 World Series from the New York Yankees.
The commission has asked Attorney General Andrew Cuomo and the Albany County district attorney to investigate whether Paterson or anyone else committed a crime by testifying falsely under oath during the commissions interview of him and by causing a check to be back-dated.
The commission determined that there is reasonable cause to believe that the governor solicited, received and accepted an unlawful gift and later falsely testified under oath that he had always intended to pay for the tickets for his son and his sons friend. In fact, the commission alleged, the governors intention was to receive and accept the tickets without paying for them until a press inquiry caused him to submit a backdated check as payment for the tickets.
The commission charged Paterson with violating two subsections of the gift ban provisions of the Public Officers Law, each of which carries a maximum penalty of $40,000. In addition, he allegedly violated three sections of the state Code of Ethics, including one that prohibits the Governor from using his official position to secure unwarranted privileges, which carries a civil penalty of $10,000.
The commission determined there is reasonable cause to believe that Paterson did not intend -- before the game -- to reimburse the Yankees for the cost of the tickets for his son and his sons friend.
TWEET!
Piling on...15 yard penalty...repeat 3rd down!
Could’ve been an umpire.
Coumo is running for Governor, shouldn’t he recuse himself from this type of investigation?
Cuomo is throwing an few extra shovelfulls of dirt on top of the gravesite.
He doesn’t want Patterson ever coming back on the NY RAT political scene.
But how would he turn the knive then?
ML/NJ
Politicians always get free tickets to sporting events - heck they are pointed out on the tv all the time.
How do they get away with it.
Many politicos consider stuff like this part of their own special little entitlement program.
Honestly, I think this variety of “ethics violation” is silly. Of course the governor of a state, and the mayor of a city should be at the game when their team plays for a championship. I seriously doubt an official would feel beholden to the team of the free tickets.
Paterson should be kicked out of office and criminally charged for abusing his power, misusing the state police and leading an intimidation and obtruction of justice campaign against a victim of domestic violence, but I don’t care if he got free World Series tickets.
Wow, Paterson is really suffering the consequences of not doing as he was told by Obama. Next thing, they’ll be accusing him of writing crib notes on his hand ...
When a U.S. President “throws out the first ball” at a pro-ball game, is he attending because HE bought a ticket???
So, when the governor of the host state of one of the two teams in baseball’s World Series event, is going to attend that event, does he always buy a ticket? I doubt it!!
I am not for or against Mr. Patterson.
But, given Obama’s determination to get him out of the way, the NewYorkSlimes as the venue originating a lot of the recent “leaks”, the corrupt Cuomos and their network in the New York media and political class, etc., etc. - I smell some rats in all the “leaks” about Patterson.
This is the least subtle take-down since Watergate.
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