New York Governor David Paterson penalized $62,125 for baseball passes

Governors of NY seem to have a hard time staying out of trouble. Armisen’s spoof of the legally blind politician on "SNL" has stuck to New York’s governor like a scarlet letter, similar to what Fey did for Palin. Paterson received free tickets to Game 1 of the 2009 World Series, and didn’t think there would be any improprieties associated with his little jaunt. Because of the NY State Commission on Public Integrity, the move will cost the incumbent governor $ 62,125, about 30 times more than the tickets would have cost within the 1st place.

Paterson loves his Yankees

According to the New York commission, Gov. David Paterson, 2 aides, Paterson’s teenage son and his son’s friend attended the game at Yankee Stadium between the Yankees and the Philadelphia Phillies. It is obvious that Paterson did not realize how it would look to the public when he abused the power he had like this. Paterson reportedly claimed that he had "always intended to pay for the tickets," but this testimony was refuted by Paterson’s staff, the NY Yankees baseball club, an independent handwriting expert and additional evidence that proves that David Paterson did not even perform a ceremonial function at the game.

At the game, Governor Paterson may have presented himself officially. Even so, getting free tickets wouldn't have happened. The Commission said that "the Governor’s false testimony is … evidence that he knew his conduct was unlawful." A variety of New York State laws were violated within the Commission’s estimation.

All the fines Gov. Paterson got

A penalty was given to Gov. David Paterson from the New York State Commission on Public Integrity. It was about $62,125. That’s $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). The Commission had considered fines under additional statutes, however no others could legally be applied.

Data 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