Ethics Commission Advisory Opinions Laws and Regulations Enforcement Actions N.Y.S. Department of State
New York State Ethics Commission, 39 Columbia Street, Albany, N.Y. 12207
Notice of Reasonable Cause
IN THE MATTER OF RICHARD C. SEMENICK,
An Assistant Chief Engineer in the
Maintenance of Way Department of
MTA Long Island Rail Road.
Notice of Reasonable Cause
Pursuant to Executive Law §94(12)(a), the New York State Ethics Commission (“Commission”) is conducting an investigation into alleged violations of the Public Officers Law by officers and employees of MTA Long Island Rail Road (“LIRR”), a State agency.
The Commission finds that there is sufficient evidence establishing reasonable cause to believe that you violated Public Officers Law §73(5), and §74(2), and (3)(d), (f) and (h) when, on seven occasions, you personally accepted gifts of golf and meals from Plasser American Corporation (“Plasser”) having a total value of $739.92. At the time you accepted these gifts, Plasser was doing business with the LIRR, and you had official duties with Plasser and frequently met with its representatives.
The specific incidents and violations are set forth in the following chart:
Date Event Location Cost/Person §73 §74
06/20/00 Lunch New York $10.99 x
11/21/01
Dinner Villa Altadonna,
Mineola, NY $92.96*
*includes spouse x x
01/09/02 Dinner Tradewinds Restaurant,
Virginia Beach, VA $68.37 x
03/25/02 Dinner Ruth’s Chris Steak House
Garden City, NY
$136.74 x x
05/01/02 Dinner Major’s Steakhouse,
Woodbury, NY $18.18 x