Concerning payments for travel from other than the employer
Conflicts of Interest Bd. v. Markowitz (in PDF), OATH Index No. 1400/11
New York City’s Conflicts of Interest Board adopted OATH Administrative Law Judge Kevin F. Casey’s finding that the Brooklyn Borough President violated the City’s Conflicts law when he accepted payments from two foreign governments and a not-for-profit organization to cover travel costs for his wife when she accompanied him on two trips to Turkey and one trip to the Netherlands.
The Board did not dispute that the Borough President conducted official business on the trips and could accept free airfare and lodging for himself.
In contrast, because the Borough President’s wife did not have an official role in the Borough President’s office, he would have to pay for her travel expenses.
The Board adopted Judge Casey’s recommended penalty of a $20,000 fine.