New York Public Interest Research Group

Last week, the former Chief Judge of the state’s highest court Judith Kaye released the second of two devastatingly critical reports on allegations of unethical conduct by Governor Paterson and his staff. According to the former Chief Judge, despite being under oath, Governor Paterson gave “misleading and inaccurate" testimony about his efforts to obtain free tickets from the Yankees for the opening game of last year’s World Series. The Chief Judge recommended that the Albany District Attorney review her findings to determine if the governor should face prosecution for lying under oath.

Governor Paterson had said under oath that he intended to pay for those Yankee tickets. However, the Chief Judge was harshly critical of the governor’s sworn testimony to the state’s ethics watchdog, the Commission on Public Integrity. She stated, "Contrary to the governor's testimony, he had not formed an intent prior to the game that the tickets other than his own would be paid for.”

"Evidence indicates that his decision to pay for the tickets for his son and his son's friend was made following a press inquiry the day after the game."

To sum it up, the Chief Judge believes that despite the governor’s sworn testimony that he intended to pay for the World Series tickets he scored from the New York Yankees, that the evidence proved that he intended to get them for free.

The controversy originated with media reports that the governor had obtained five free tickets from the Yankees for the first game of last year’s World Series at Yankee Stadium. The choice seats close to the field behind home plate had a face value of $425—but on the day of the game those tickets were going for $2,000. Under New York State law, it is prohibited for a public official to solicit or accept gifts from lobbyists. The governor is a public official and the Yankees are registered lobbyists, making it clear that the governor violated the gift ban when he solicited and accepted the World Series tickets.

Apparently, once caught, the governor gave “misleading and inaccurate” statements to cover up his efforts to obtain these gifts from the Yankees.

The Albany District Attorney has not publicly stated whether he will bring charges against the governor, but even if he doesn’t the governor is still in hot water. The Commission on Public Integrity is currently weighing how much to fine the governor for his violation of the state’s gift ban, and the governor could have to pay fines totaling nearly $100,000.

Last week’s report is the second issued by the former Chief Judge. About a month ago, she issued a report highly critical of the governor’s role in an effort to squelch allegations of domestic abuse against one of his top staffers. In that report, the Chief Judge found that the governor had misled the public on his role, but she stated that the governor had not violated criminal laws. Those involved still face potential sanctions from an investigation by the state’s ethics watchdog.

These latest reports are built upon a reputation the governor has developed for twisting the facts. Recall that after the 2008 election, New York Senator Hillary Clinton was appointed US Secretary of State and it fell to the Governor to appoint a replacement. In response to Caroline Kennedy’s withdrawal from consideration for appointment as Clinton’s replacement, members of the Paterson Administration spread false rumors as part of an effort to smear Ms. Kennedy.

There have been other instances as well, but the bottom line is that Governor Paterson’s legacy will forever be tarnished by his failures to be completely truthful. Some cynics may say that all politicians are untruthful. That’s no excuse. If true, the public should be vigilant and unforgiving when they catch public figures misstating the facts.

And they should absolutely demand the straight truth from their elected officials. These individuals are, after all, the public’s servants – not the other way around.

As the election season heats up, demand that those asking for your votes unequivocally pledge to be truthful about their public decisions. And once they make that pledge, it’s up to us to make sure they keep it

That’s all for now. I’ll be keeping an eye on the Capitol and will talk to you again next week.