A former city official ended up shelling out $3,000 to see the New York Yankees take on the Boston Red Sox.
That’s the fine that Sanford Cohen, an ex-assistant deputy commissioner at the Human Resources Administration, agreed to pay for accepting two luxury-suite tickets to Yankee Stadium in 2009 from a city vendor, officials said yesterday.
Cohen, who earned $152,000 a year, admitted in a settlement with the Conflicts of Interest Board that he attended the showdown between the two historic rivals in August of that year courtesy of DynTek Services Inc., an IT-services firm that was actively bidding on HRA contracts.
“DynTek’s offer included admission to the game, a fully catered suite with food and alcohol, and a commemorative polo shirt,” Cohen said in settlement documents.
He valued a single ticket at $712.81. By taking a guest, the total value came to $1,425.62.
Cohen, who joined the city payroll in April 1997, left his HRA post in January.
Ethics rules prohibit city employees from accepting gifts worth more than $50 from anyone doing business with the city. Records show DynTek has been paid at least $15 million by the city for IT jobs at various agencies that include upgrading the 911 system.