The Port Authority’s veteran treasurer and two of her top associates were summarily fired yesterday morning after it was revealed that they had accepted valuable gifts, meals and theater tickets from vendors doing business with the agency during their local and international travels, The Post has learned.
The treasurer, Anne Marie Mulligan, a 35-year veteran, was dismissed, along with assistant treasurer Veronica Biddle, a 10-year veteran, and John Huxel, the PA’s risk manager, who had been employed by the PA for 11 years, for what were described as “mismanagement and ethical violations,” a source explained.
The trio’s misconduct included accepting favors from vendors here in New York City and during their international travels to both London and Zurich in the past year that were detailed in an inspector’s general report released to the PA brass shortly before they were let go.
“It was a no-brainer,” said one source, referring to the decision to fire each of them.
The IG’s office began probing the trio about a year ago after another PA employee was fired for excessive absences and that individual became a whistleblower, a source explained.
The favors were given by “people in the insurance industry” to the three officials, whose duties took them to foreign cities.
“The PA has many millions of dollars in insurance contracts they need underwritten,” a source explained.
Despite the sweeteners, it’s not believed the insurance company or companies – it’s not clear how many were involved – received any special favors and “no theft of public funds were involved,” said a source.
The transgressions are unlikely to lead to criminal prosecution and each of the three might still qualify for a PA pension, sources said.
None of the three officials could immediately be reached and a Port Authority spokesman did not immediately have any comment.
None of the three individuals could immediately be reached, but Lisa MacSpadden, head of media relations for the PA, issued a statement.
“After learning the findings of an Inspector General investigation, the Port Authority immediately moved to terminate its top three Treasury employees. The agency’s swift action demonstrates its commitment to ensuring its personnel adhere to the highest standards of performance, integrity and stewardship of the public’s trust,” MacSpadden said.