By Michael Ventura
DNAinfo Senior Editor
MANHATTAN — State prosecutors have been asked to determine whether Gov. David Paterson should face criminal charges after the State Commission on Public Integrity ruled he lied under oath about accepting Yankee World Series tickets last year.
The commission ruled Wednesday that Paterson had asked for and received five free tickets for Game 1 and, after inquiries were made, he had testified he intended to pay for them. They asked prosecutors to investigate as well.
The panel said Paterson had a personal check backdated to make it look like he was going to pay for the tickets.
"There is reasonable cause to believe that the Governor falsely testified under oath," the Commission's report read.
Paterson said "no" when he was asked Wednesday by reporters whether he lied under oath.
“We also dispute that I solicited anything from the Yankees and acted improperly,” he told the New York Times. “We are looking forward to talking with them about that.”
State law bars officials in the executive branch of government from soliciting gifts.
Paterson is also under investigation for allegedly interfering in a domestic violence case involving a close aide. Last week, he ended his election bid amid the growing scandal.
