Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
It's "Likely" Paterson Perjured Himself In Yankees Tix Scandal, But Case Dropped Anyway
By
Ben Yakas
Published May 21, 2011
Modified May 21, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Ben Yakas
Published May 21, 2011
Modified May 21, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
This week, former Governor David Paterson learned that he won't face prosecution for lying about accepting free Yankees World Series tickets two years ago. In a letter to Paterson obtained by the News, Albany County District Attorney David Soares says it was "reasonably likely" an offense was committed, but argued that they would not be able to satisfactorily reach a criminal conviction.
In December, Paterson was fined over $62,000 by the New York State's Commission on Public Integrity for soliciting, accepting and receiving five complimentary tickets to Game One of the 2009 World Series for himself, two aides, his teenage son and his son's friend. During the inquiry into the tickets, the Commission concluded that "the Governor's testimony that he always intended to pay for the tickets was refuted by his staff, the Yankees, an independent handwriting expert and common sense."
Paterson's lawyer convinced the Yankees to give them the tickets by saying the Governor would be attending the game in an official capacity; the scandal only came to light after Post reporter Fred Dicker badgered the information out.
Even so, former Court of Appeals Chief Judge Judith Kaye found that Paterson gave "misleading and inaccurate" testimony under oath to the panel, but didn't go so far as to call it "perjury." And ultimately, Soares said he didn't think there was a case to be made. Last we heard of the former Governor, Paterson announced he was joining the faculty at NYU; more recently, he's given high praise to his gubernatorial successor, Andrew Cuomo, and discussed the possibility of hosting his own NYC sports radio show: “I actually get a little nervous when I do the sports talk because I forgot things I knew...I can do the political shows totally relaxed, but I actually get nervous with the sports because it means a lot to me.”
Tagged
david paterson
governor paterson
world series
yankees tickets
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Queens man found dead, police say, and injured woman is his mother, neighbors say
Police are investigating a related incident in which a 62-year-old woman was found injured beneath the Van Wyck Expressway.
By
Charles Lane
Published Oct 14, 2026 at 7:39 p.m. ET
Man shot by ICE in NYC's Marble Hill said federal officers never identified themselves
The wounded man said he didn't learn ICE agents were involved until he woke up in the hospital.
By
Arya Sundaram
and
Samantha Max
News
Man shot by ICE in NYC's Marble Hill said federal officers never identified themselves
The wounded man said he didn't learn ICE agents were involved until he woke up in the hospital.
By
Arya Sundaram
and
Samantha Max
Brooklyn school dean says MTA officers assaulted him over a $3 bus fare he says he paid
By
Carol Chen
National Grid customers in NYC will see higher gas bills this winter
By
Rosemary Misdary
Bruce Blakeman joins Gov. Hochul in support for expanding NY rape law
By
Jon Campbell
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .