N.Y. Governor Patterson nipped $62K for Yankees passes

New York has had some embarrassing governor troubles in recent years. Former Gov. Spitzer loved the ladies for hire too much, and now Gov. David Paterson is caught in yet another ethics scandal. The legally impaired politician had no qualms about taking comp tickets for Game 1 of the 2009 WS, despite the ethical questions doing so would create. The slip of judgment will cost David Paterson $ 62,125, which is around 30 times higher than what the 5 passes would have cost. Resource for this article – New York Gov. David Paterson fined $62,125 for baseball tickets by MoneyBlogNewz.

David Paterson with Yankees love

The New York commission explained that there was a game at the Yankee Stadium that had the Yankees and the Philadelphia Phillies playing. In attendance was Gov. David Paterson, 2 aides, Paterson's son and his son's friend. Clearly, Paterson didn’t spare a thought for how this would be perceived as an excellent political impropriety and abuse of power. Paterson reportedly claimed that he had "always meant to pay for the passes," however this testimony was refuted by Paterson’s staff, the New York Yankees baseball club, an independent handwriting expert and additional evidence that proves that Paterson did not even perform a ceremonial function at the game.

Governor Paterson wouldn't have been entitled to free tickets even if he officially presented himself at the game. The Commission said that "the Governor’s false testimony is … evidence that he knew his conduct was unlawful." There was a violation of several New York State Laws. This was what the Commission's estimate did.

Fees for Governor Paterson

Gov. Paterson got a $62,125 fine from the New York State Commission on Public Integrity. That means he is getting penalized $2,125 for the passes, $25,000 for violating Public Officers Law §73(5)(a), $25,000 for "violating Public Officers Law §73(5)(b) and $10,000 for violating "Public Officers Law §74(3)(d). Other statutes were considered by the Commission. It wasn't legal to apply it though.

Info from

New York Daily News

nydailynews.com/news/2010/02/09/2010-02-09_major_meltdown_in_albany_as_he_fends_off_rumors_of_scandal_patersons_increasingl.html

New York State Commission on Public Integrity

nyintegrity.org/pubs/2010/122010_press.html

Stepping over the line (Note: Video contains adult references)

youtube.com/watch?v=Ir5Cwc_TSlo