Source: http://www.scribd.com/doc/55381460/John-J-O-Connor-NORC
Timestamp: 2015-05-26 04:37:38
Document Index: 27933131

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 94', '§74', '§ 74', '§ 74', '§94', '§73', '§94', '§73', '§ 74', '§74', '§ 74', '§ 53', '§ 53', '§74', '§74', '§74', '§94', '§74', '§74', '§74', '§74', 'Art. 11', '§ 2', '§94']

P. 1John J. O'Connor NORCJohn J. O'Connor NORCRatings: (0)|Views: 11,240|Likes: 0Published by Nick ReismanMore info:Published by: Nick Reisman on May 13, 2011Copyright:Attribution Non-commercialAvailability:Read on Scribd mobile: iPhone, iPad and Android.download as PDF, TXT or read online from ScribdFlag for inappropriate content|Add to collectionSee moreSee lesshttps://www.scribd.com/doc/55381460/John-J-O-Connor-NORC07/18/2013pdftextoriginal STATE OF NEW YORKCOMMISSION ON PUBLIC INTEGRITY________________________________________________IN THE MATTER OF AN INVESTIGATION INTOSUSAN BRUNO’S WORK STATUS FOR THE STATE
UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK RESEARCH FOUNDATION
JOHN J. O’CONNOR, PRESIDENT,Respondent________________________________________________
Pursuant to Executive Law § 94(12)(a), which authorizes the Commission on PublicIntegrity (“Commission”) to investigate a possible violation of Public Officers Law §74 on “itsown initiative,” the Commission commenced an investigation in an effort to determine whetherthere is reasonable cause to believe that John J. O’Connor violated several provisions of the StateCode of Ethics set forth in Public Officers Law § 74(3)(d), (f) and (h). Specifically, theCommission sought to determine whether Mr. O’Connor unlawfully used his position asPresident of the Research Foundation of the State University of New York (“RF”) to have the RFcontinue to employ Susan Bruno, daughter of then Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno, in aposition for which she was not qualified, in which she performed little or no work and in whichshe rarely, if ever, came to the office in violation of the RF’s telecommunicating policy and itspractice with respect to other employees. The Commission commenced its investigation soonafter the Times Union (“TU”) published an article on January 4, 2009 entitled “Foundation underscrutiny.” The article questioned whether Ms. Bruno was qualified for the position when she washired in 2003 and whether Ms. Bruno received benefits, such as a telecommuting arrangement,that were not conferred upon other RF employees.There is reasonable cause to believe, based on the record evidence, that Mr. O’Connorknowingly and intentionally violated Public Officers Law §§ 74(3)(d), (f) and (h).
The Commission is authorized by Executive Law §94(12)(a) to commence aninvestigation based on a sworn complaint alleging one or more violations of Public Officers Law§§73, 73-a or 74, or it may determine on its own initiative to investigate a possible violation.The Commission may conduct any investigation necessary to carry out the cited provisions of the
Public Officers Law and has the power, pursuant to Executive Law §94(13), to assess civilpenalties for knowing and intentional violations of certain provisions of §§73, 73-a, or 74.Prior the effective date of the Public Employee Ethics Reform Act (“PEERA”) (L. 2007,ch. 14), the RF was not a State agency as defined by Public Officers Law § 74(1). Therefore, atthat time, employees of the RF were not subject to Public Officers Law §74(3) or theCommission’s jurisdiction. PEERA amended the definition of “state agency” contained inPublic Officers Law § 74(1) to include “corporations closely affiliated with specific stateagencies as defined by” State Finance Law § 53-a(5)(d). State Finance Law § 53-a(5)(d)specifically identifies the Research Foundation of the State University of New York as a Stateagency. Therefore, as of April 25, 2007, the effective date of this amendment of §74(1), officersand employees of the RF have been officers and employees of a State agency who are required tocomply with the provisions of the State Code of Ethics set forth in Public Officers Law §74 andwho are subject to the penalties set forth in §74(4) that Executive Law §94(13) authorizes theCommission to impose upon a State officer or employee it finds to have violated the State Codeof Ethics.
Public Officers Law §74(3)(d) states in pertinent part:No officer or employee of a state agency, . . . should use or attemptto use his official position to secure unwarranted privileges orexemptions for himself or others.Public Officers Law §74(3)(f) states in pertinent part:An officer or employee of a state agency, . . . should not by hisconduct give reasonable basis for the impression that any personcan improperly influence him or unduly enjoy his favor in theperformance of his official duties, or that he is affected by thekinship, rank, position or influence of any party or person.Public Officers Law §74(3)(h) states in pertinent part:An officer or employee of a state agency, . . . should endeavor topursue a course of conduct which will not raise suspicion amongthe public that he is likely to be engaged in acts that are inviolation of his trust.Public Officers Law §74(4) states in pertinent part:In addition to any penalty contained in any other provision of lawany such officer, member or employee who shall knowingly and
intentionally violate any of the provisions of this section may befined, suspended or removed from office or employment in themanner provided by law. Any such individual who knowingly andintentionally violates the provisions of paragraph b, c, d or i of subdivision three of this section shall be subject to a civil penaltyin an amount not to exceed ten thousand dollars and the value of any gift, compensation or benefit received as a result of suchviolation. Any such individual who knowingly and intentionallyviolates the provisions of paragraph a, e or g of subdivision threeof this section shall be subject to a civil penalty in an amount not toexceed the value of any gift, compensation or benefit received as aresult of such violation.
The RF is a non-profit educational corporation governed by a board of directors to assistin the development of State University facilities by encouraging gifts, contributions anddonations for the benefit of the State University of New York system; receiving, holding andadministering gifts or grants; and to finance the conduct of studies and research in all academicdisciplines.Mr. O’Connor was hired to be the RF President in or about March 2000.
Exhibit 3.As President, Mr. O’Connor serves as the “chief executive officer and [is] responsible for thesupervision and operation of the corporation….”
RF Bylaw Art. 11, § 2.
INVESTIGATIONA. Procedural Background
The Commission commenced its investigation of Mr. O’Connor on January 29,2009 by sending him a “15-day letter” pursuant to and in accordance with Executive Law§94(12)(a) to which Mr. O’Connor submitted a written response.
Exhibits 1 through3.
The Commission also sought and obtained documents from various sources,including unsuccessful efforts to have Mr. O’Connor produce documents voluntarily.
Exhibits 4 through 14.. After the Commission subpoenaed documents from the RF,Mr. O’Connor made vigorous, but ultimately unsuccessful efforts, to halt theCommission’s investigation. Finally, the Commission afforded Mr. O’Connor multiple
The Commission subsequently sent Mr. O’Connor a second 15-day letter to which he also submitted a writtenresponse.
Exhibits 8 and 12.
The RF produced voluminous documents in response to a Commission subpoena. Commission staff alsointerviewed twelve current and former RF employees, including Ms. Bruno, who asserted her Fifth Amendmentprivilege against self-incrimination in response to virtually of the Commission’s questions.
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