Railroad executive agrees to $75,000 fine in lobbying probe
By MARK JOHNSON
Associated Press Writer
November 20, 2006, 3:52 PM EST
ALBANY, N.Y. - Railroad executive Walter Rich agreed to pay a $75,000
fine to settle an investigation into lavish Baseball Hall of Fame
induction events he hosts annually for state officials, lobbyists and
others at his Cooperstown mansion, his lawyer said Monday.
James Featherstonhaugh said Rich admitted no wrongdoing in the
settlement with the state Lobbying Commission. The commission is
slated to approve the settlement at its meeting Tuesday.
Lobbying commission Executive Director David Grandeau declined
comment.
The commission was looking into whether Rich, president of the New
York Susquehanna and Western Railway Corp., provided illegal gifts to
state officials.
Included on the guest list for the past two Hall of Fame weekends
were state assemblymen Peter Abbate and Steven Cymbrowitz; Gov.
George Pataki’s senior policy adviser, Jeff Lovell; State University
of New York Chancellor Robert King; state Transportation Commissioner
Thomas Madison; and Steven Boggess, secretary of the state Senate,
according to records obtained by the commission.
The railway spends about $100,000 each year providing lod