brooklyn borough president marty markowitz conflict of interest ruling--$20,000 fine

8/6/2019 Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz Conflict of Interest Ruling--$20,000 fine

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July 25, 2

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST BOARD FINES BROOKLYPRESIDENT $20,000 FOR USING HIS CITY POSITIONFREE FOREIGN TRAVEL FOR HIS WIFE ON THREE O

The New York City Conflicts of Interest Board (the Bthe Report and Recommendation of an Administrative Law Juthe New York City Office of Administrative Trials and Heari

fining the Brooklyn Borough President $20,000 for acceptitravel and related accommodations for his wife on three occaTurkey in May 2007, a trip to the Netherlands in March 200trip to Turkey in November 2009.

For each of these trips, it was undisputed that the BroPresident was conducting official business and thus could accand related accommodations for himself. However, at noBrooklyn Borough Presidents wife an employee of the BoroOffice or of any other City agency. Therefore, her travel wasthat could have been properly paid for with City funds; anBorough President wished to have his wife accompany him, hto pay for her travel expenses himself. As stated in the BoaBrooklyn Borough President was so advised by the Board inrequirement prior to the first of the three trips at issue.

Notwithstanding that prior notice from the Board,Borough President accepted travel-related expenses for hisRepublic of Turkey for a trip in May 2007, from the KNetherlands in March 2009, and from the Federation of TurAssociations in November 2009. While none of these entitied li ith th Cit d th th t f ift f

Steven B. RosenfeldChair/Board Member

Monica BlumBoard Member

Andrew IrvingBoard Member

Burton LehmanBoard Member

____________

Mark DaviesExecutive Director

Wayne G. HawleyDeputy Executive Director

& General Counsel

Carolyn Lisa MillerDirector of Enforcement

Julia Davis

Special Counsel &Director of Financial

Disclosure

Alex KippDirector of Training &

Education

Ute OMalleyDirector of

Administration

Derick YuDirector of Information

Technology

CITY OF NEW YORKCONFLICTS OF INTEREST BOARD

2 Lafayette Street, Suite 1010New York, New York 10007

(212) 442-1400Fax: (212) 442-1407 TDD: (212) 442-1443


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trips abroad because of his position as Borough President of Brooklyn and his wthree trips because of her relationship to him. By accepting travel expenses for h

trip, respondent used his position as a public servant for private or personal advput, his wife was able to travel with him abroadfor free.

As a penalty, the ALJ recommended, and the Board imposed, a total fapportioned by the Board follows: $3,000 for the 2007 Turkey trip, $7,000Netherlands trip, and $10,000 for the 2009 Netherlands trip, which came afteBorough President was most recently on notice that it would be a violation expenses on behalf of his wife. Copies of the Board Order and the OAT

Recommendation are attached.

The Conflicts of Interest Board is the Citys ethics board and is responsib

Chapter 68 of the New York City Charter, the Citys conflicts of interest lawcomposed of five members, appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consCouncil. Board penalties are civil fines. Public servants who have any quesCitys conflicts of interest law are urged to contact the Board by calling (212) 442

Carolyn Lisa Miller, Director of Enforcement, handled this case for thBoard gratefully acknowledges the work of its confidential investigative arm, the Department of Investigation (DOI), DOI Commissioner Rose Gill HearnCommissioner for Legal Affairs & General Counsel Marjorie Landa, and DOI Sto the Commissioner & First Deputy General Counsel Michael Siller, who investigation.

The Board does not comment on its dispositions, except as set forth aboveany additional public documents, e-mail [email protected].


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brooklyn borough president marty markowitz conflict of interest ruling--$20,000 fine

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