FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 24, 2016
New York Conflicts of Interest Board Announces $15,000 Settlement with Kings County District Attorney for Violating the Conflicts of Interest Law
The New York City Conflicts of Interest Board has concluded a settlement with Kings County District Attorney Kenneth Thompson for violating the New York City conflicts of interest law. In a public disposition of charges brought by the Board, the Kings County District Attorney agreed to pay a $15,000 fine in connection with his receipt of improper meal expense payments from the Kings County District Attorney’s Office (“KCDA”) and for having subordinates advance their personal money to pay his meal expenses pending their reimbursement by KCDA.
The Kings County District Attorney admitted to:
· Using office funds to pay for his weekday meals from January 2014 through May 2014, totaling $2,043 (which he repaid in July 2014);
· Using office funds to pay for his dinner and weekend meals from January 2014 through February 2015, totaling $1,489 (which he repaid in August 2015);
· Having the members of his security detail use their own money to purchase these meals, as well as other of his personal meals totaling $1,992. The District Attorney periodically reimbursed KCDA for these expenses per an arrangement with KCDA’s Fiscal Office. KCDA reimbursed the members of the security detail for their cash advances, sometimes after a delay.
The Kings County District Attorney acknowledged that his conduct violated the provisions of the City’s conflicts of interest law that prohibit the City’s elected officials and other public servants from using, or attempting to use, their City positions to obtain any financial gain, privilege, or other private or personal advantage for the public servant, and from using City resources for any personal, non-City purpose. The Kings County District Attorney also acknowledged that, by permitting an office policy pursuant to which subordinate staff regularly advanced their own money to cover his personal expenses, he entered into a prohibited financial relationship with his subordinate employees.
In determining the level of fine, the Board took into account that the Kings County District Attorney reimbursed all funds to KCDA prior to the Board’s commencement of an enforcement action, but also the high level of accountability required of the chief prosecutor of Brooklyn.
Michele Weinstat, Director of Enforcement, handled this case for the Board.
The Board gratefully acknowledges the work of its confidential investigative arm, the New York City Department of Investigation (DOI), DOI Commissioner Mark G. Peters, DOI Deputy Commissioner/General Counsel Michael B. Siller, Inspector General Andrew Brunsden, and their staff, for their work on this matter.
The Board does not comment on its dispositions, except as set forth above. The disposition is attached as “COIB Disposition (KCDA).”
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COIB is the independent, non-mayoral City agency charged with interpreting, administering, and enforcing the City's Conflicts of Interest Law, Annual Disclosure Law, and Lobbyist Gift Law. The agency’s jurisdiction extends to all City agencies and current and former officers, elected officials, and employees of the City, as well as lobbyists. Learn more about COIB and the law at nyc.gov/ethics.
