ALBANY – The New York Yankees face a possible criminal referral for giving World Series tickets to Manhattan DA Robert Morgenthau, The Post has learned.
Morgenthau and his wife, Lucinda Franks, were guests in the box of Yanks boss George Steinbrenner during two Series games last fall, according to new records filed with the New York City Clerk’s office.
State law says no organization required to file a disclosure report with the Lobbying Commission “shall offer or give a gift with a value in excess of $75 dollars to any public official,” said a spokesperson. Doing so is a criminal misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail. A source familiar with the situation said the commission may refer the Yankees’ action to Attorney General Eliot Spitzer for prosecution.
Last month, the Yankees paid a $75,000 fine to settle a commission complaint that the team failed to disclose dozens of tickets given to officials. It was revealed that Morgenthau, City Council Speaker Gifford Miller and others had received free tickets – but it was not reported that four pricey World Series box seats were involved.
Yank rep Howard Rubenstein said last month’s settlement precludes further action: “The Yankees clearly resolved this matter within the settlement agreement with the commission.”
Commission boss David Grandeau disagrees: “While I have not yet seen the Yankees latest filing, it is quite clear . . . that a registered lobbyist or a client of a lobbyist is prohibited from offering a public official, including a district attorney, any gift valued in excess of $75.”
Morgenthau accepted the tickets “because he was invited to the owner’s box, which he thinks is important for his role as chairman of the Police Athletic League,” said a rep.