Published 02:53, November the 4th, 2009
Gov’s tix to Series get second mulling
An ethics panel is investigating allegations that New York Gov. David Paterson got free tickets to the World Series in violation of state rules, the governor’s press office said yesterday.
The inquiry by the New York state public integrity commission followed news reports that Paterson’s senior adviser requested free tickets from the Yankees to last week’s opening game of the baseball championship series at Yankee Stadium in New York, which Paterson attended with his son, two aides and a friend.
“The governor attended Game One of the World Series in his official capacity to represent the state of New York at a ceremonial occasion. All other tickets are being paid for,” said Paterson spokeswoman Marissa Shorenstein.
Asked about the issue yesterday, Paterson told reporters, “We had sent them [Yankees] the letter only about me. We planned to pay for the tickets all along. We only asked the question about me.
Everything else had to be paid for.”
Officials are barred from accepting gifts from those doing business with the state.
The tickets were valued at $425 each and were located several rows behind home plate, The New York Times reported.
