"The state ethics commission has fined Gov. David A. Paterson $62,125 for soliciting and accepting five free tickets to the 2009 World Series...
The Commission on Public Integrity noted that the Yankees have “myriad and continuing” issues before state government, including real estate, stadium development and tax matters, creating a clear conflict of interest for Mr. Paterson.
In its finding, the commission also concluded that the governor had lied about his acceptance of the tickets, saying that Mr. Paterson’s testimony, in which he said he always intended to pay for them, was refuted by his own staff, Yankees officials and documentary evidence, “not to mention common sense.”
...“The governor solicited tickets from a registered lobbyist,” the commission said, referring to the Yankees. “When members of the media learned of his conduct, he attempted to cover up his misdeeds” by backdating a check, and when questioned under oath about the check, “the governor told a story” that was not true, the commission concluded."
DAVID HALBFINGER
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