Former DOT Employee Charged with Violating Ethics Law
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 13, 2008
CONTACT: Walter C. Ayres
518-408-3976
ALBANY — The State Commission on Public Integrity has issued a Notice of Reasonable Cause charging a former employee of the Department of Transportation (DOT) with violating the post-employment restrictions of the ethics law by illegally appearing before his former agency within two years of leaving State service. The Public Officers Law generally prohibits former State employees from appearing before or providing services to their former agencies within two years of leaving State service.
James Brunet currently is President of Excelsior Transportation Consultants, Inc. Previously, he was employed as an Intermodal Transportation Specialist at DOT. The Commission alleged that he provided services to DOT on two purchase orders in 2006 and 2007.
Penalties for violations of the laws were increased in 2007. Brunet faces a maximum penalty of $10,000 for the appearance in 2006 and $40,000 for the appearance in 2007, after the law was changed.
The case was referred to the Commission by DOT.
A copy of the Notice of Reasonable Cause is attached.