COIB Settlements Announced

 

The New York City Conflicts of Interest Board (the “Board”) announces four settlements.

 

Misuse of City Position. A Principal at the New York City Department of Education (“DOE”) interviewed his daughter, who lived with him, for a college counselor position at his school. Another candidate was selected for the position, but, after the chosen candidate resigned, the Principal hired his daughter without consulting any other DOE employees or conducting any additional interviews. The Principal supervised his daughter’s DOE employment for five months. In a three-way settlement with the Board and DOE, the Principal agreed to pay a $7,500 fine to the Board. The Disposition is attached as “COIB-DOE Disposition (1).”

 

Misuse of City Position; Prohibited Compensation. A Students in Temporary Housing Regional Manager for the New York City Department of Education (“DOE”) entered into an unauthorized agreement with the State University of New York at Farmingdale (“SUNY Farmingdale”) through which he received $6,400 in “coordinator fees” for work he routinely performed in his DOE capacity. In a three-way settlement with the Board and DOE, the Regional Manager agreed to pay a $6,000 fine to the Board. In setting the penalty at slightly less than the value of the impermissible coordinator fees the Regional Manager received, the Board considered that the Regional Manager may have been eligible for, but did not seek, per-session pay from DOE for some of his SUNY Farmingdale work. The Disposition is attached as “COIB-DOE Disposition (2).”

 

Misuse of City Position; Misuse of City Personnel; Prohibited Superior-Subordinate Financial Relationships. A Supervisor of Caretakers at the New York City Housing Authority (“NYCHA”) solicited and received 17 loans totaling $740 from her NYCHA subordinates. The Supervisor of Caretakers also had one of those subordinates visit an illegal bookmaker to place bets on her behalf during the subordinate’s NYCHA work hours. To resolve these violations, the Supervisor of Caretakers agreed to pay a $4,500 fine. The Disposition is attached as “COIB Disposition (NYCHA).”

 

Misuse of City Position. An Assistant Commissioner with the New York City Department of Correction (“DOC”) accepted a pair of UGG boots as a birthday gift from her DOC subordinates. After the Assistant Commissioner was served a Notice of Initial Determination of Probable Cause by the Board concerning her acceptance of the boots, the Assistant Commissioner reimbursed three of her DOC subordinates toward the boots’ cost. To resolve her violation, the Assistant Commissioner paid a $600 fine. The Disposition is attached as “COIB Disposition (DOC).”

COIB is the independent, non-mayoral City agency charged with interpreting, administering, and enforcing the City's Conflicts of Interest Law, Annual Disclosure Law, Lobbyist Gift Law, Affiliated Not-for-Profits Law, and Legal Defense Trusts Law.