Bryan Vest

Current Event 4

Political Science 101

Friday / 9-12 / Spring 2010

Dr. Searl-Chapin

“Paterson’s Ethics Breach Is Turned Over to Prosecutors'”

(http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/04/nyregion/04paterson.html?
pagewanted=1&sq&st=nyt&scp=14, 4/25/10)

Summary 

Gov. David A. Paterson falsely testified under oath during an ethics investigation into his

acceptance of free World Series tickets last fall, according to the State Commission on Public

Integrity, which announced on Wednesday that it had asked prosecutors to determine if criminal

charges should be brought against the governor. The commission said Mr. Paterson sought and

accepted five free tickets for Game 1 of the World Series at Yankee Stadium. When inquiries

were made about the tickets, he testified that he had always intended to pay for them. The panel

said the governor backdated, or had another person backdate, a personal check to buttress his

explanation that he had planned to pay the Yankees for the seats, which were behind home plate

and had a face value of $425 each. Mr. Paterson said at a news conference shortly after the report

was released that he would request a meeting with the commission to challenge its conclusions.

Asked if he lied under oath, the governor responded firmly: “No.” “We also dispute that I

solicited anything from the Yankees and acted improperly,” he said. “We are looking forward to

talking with them about that.” While it is not uncommon for politicians to receive complimentary

tickets to sporting events, state ethics law prohibits executive branch officials from soliciting or

accepting gifts of more than nominal value from any lobbyist if the gift appears intended to sway
the official. The Yankees were registered last year to lobby the Paterson administration in

connection with financing for their stadium. The commission charged Mr. Paterson with two

penalties of violating the Public Officers Law, each carrying a maximum penalty of a $40,000

fine, and violating three sections of the State Code of Ethics, including a provision that bars the

governor from using his official position to secure unwarranted privileges, which carries a

$10,000 civil penalty.