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State ethics commission accuses Paterson of violating laws by accepting free World Series tickets
The Post-Standard ^ | March 3, 2010 | Mike McAndrew

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 state’s 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 commission’s 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 son’s friend. In fact, the commission alleged, the governor’s 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 son’s friend.


TOPICS: News/Current Events
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1 posted on 03/03/2010 9:51:01 AM PST by Free ThinkerNY
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To: Free ThinkerNY

TWEET!

Piling on...15 yard penalty...repeat 3rd down!

2 posted on 03/03/2010 9:57:27 AM PST by NativeNewYorker (Freepin' Jew Boy)
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To: Free ThinkerNY

Could’ve been an umpire.


3 posted on 03/03/2010 10:00:35 AM PST by UnbelievingScumOnTheOtherSide (IN A SMALL TENT WE JUST STAND CLOSER! * IT'S ISLAM, STUPID! - Islam Delenda Est! - Rumble thee forth)
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To: Free ThinkerNY

Coumo is running for Governor, shouldn’t he recuse himself from this type of investigation?


4 posted on 03/03/2010 10:01:23 AM PST by Jim from C-Town (The government is rarely benevolent, often malevolent and never benign!)
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To: NativeNewYorker

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.


5 posted on 03/03/2010 10:01:33 AM PST by rod1
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To: Jim from C-Town

But how would he turn the knive then?


6 posted on 03/03/2010 10:02:18 AM PST by rod1
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To: Free ThinkerNY
I'm beginning to think maybe the Republicans should nominate this guy. He really is hated by all the usual suspects. Today I heard one of those airhead political radio spots that the government employee unions do calling on Paterson to resign because he thought taxes had to go up if he wasn't going to cut employees.

ML/NJ

7 posted on 03/03/2010 10:02:42 AM PST by ml/nj
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To: Free ThinkerNY

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.


8 posted on 03/03/2010 10:03:53 AM PST by edcoil (If I had 1 cent for every dollar the government saved, Bill Gates and I would be friends.)
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To: Free ThinkerNY

Many politicos consider stuff like this part of their own special little entitlement program.


9 posted on 03/03/2010 10:05:10 AM PST by NormsRevenge (Semper Fi ... Godspeed .. Monthly Donor Onboard .. Chuck DeVore - CA Senator. Believe.)
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To: Free ThinkerNY

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.


10 posted on 03/03/2010 10:06:04 AM PST by Above My Pay Grade
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To: Free ThinkerNY

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 ...


11 posted on 03/03/2010 10:06:41 AM PST by Jackson57
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To: NativeNewYorker

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.


12 posted on 03/03/2010 1:08:48 PM PST by Wuli
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To: Wuli

This is the least subtle take-down since Watergate.


13 posted on 03/03/2010 2:31:10 PM PST by NativeNewYorker (Freepin' Jew Boy)
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