Gov. David Paterson Creatively Defends World Series Tickets

By Robert Smith

New York Gov. David Paterson was accused yesterday of violating state ethics laws by taking free tickets to a World Series game and then lying about it.

Reading through his testimony to a state ethics board related to this latest scandal reveals some rather creative logic on the governor's part.

He maintains that his trip to the ball park was part of his official duties and not just something he was doing for fun.

This is a crucial point because the governor doesn't automatically get seats behind home plate.
The Yankees have a policy requiring politicians to pay for their seats, unless they show that they need the tickets for official business.

So how did Paterson justify asking for five tickets with a face value of $425?

First, Paterson argued in testimony to a state ethics commission that Game 1 of the World Series was not really a game. It was an "economic event" in New York City.

 

Paterson told investigators that a World Series game is similar to "ground-breakings, concerts for September 11 victims, September 11th ceremonies". Of course, those events conspicuously lack a beer man and a Jay-Z performance of "Empire State of Mind.".

In case that argument didn't cut it, Paterson tried something else. His was defending New York State pride by attending. He told investigators that if he wasn't at the game, people would think something was wrong.

Besides, he adds, "I had a bet with the Governor of Pennsylvania about the outcome of the World Series and that was written about in the media. So I think that laid the foundation that as head of the State that I should be there."

The logic gets even more inventive when Paterson is asked if he took part in any official ceremonies at the World Series.

PATERSON: I didn't speak. I was recognized among the dignitaries who were there... By public address announcement, they recognized all of the officials who had come to the game.

LAWYER FOR ETHICS PANEL: Just so I'm clear, there was a public announcement that said the Governor of New York was here?

PATERSON: No, I didn't say that. They said "we'd like to thank all of our leaders and officials for being here at the game. I was there and I assume that's who they were talking about.

New York's Public Integrity Commission says that accepting the free tickets was a violation of state law since the Yankees aren't just the greatest team in history, but also a registered lobbyist in New York State.

The ethics fines could be up to $90,000. The commission also said Paterson probably lied in his testimony when he said that he was planning to reimburse the team.

Ironically, Paterson couldn't see the game that has gotten him in so much trouble. He's legally blind and noted to investigators: "I would rather have stayed home and watched the World Series, because I couldn't see it from there [the stadium seats]."