An employee with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets has agreed to pay a fine after admitting to violating state ethics laws while working at the New York State Fair.
The New York State Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government says Geneanne Keegan-Smith, who served as the Concessions and Exhibits Manager for the State Fair, accepted gifts and other privileges from vendors operating at the fair.
According to the commission’s investigation, Keegan-Smith accepted items including free food, alcohol, and other goods from vendors and shared some of those items with other Department of Agriculture staff. Investigators also found that she regularly used a golf cart provided by a State Fair vendor.
The commission determined those actions violated the Public Officers Law, which restricts state employees from accepting gifts or benefits connected to their official duties.
As part of a settlement resolving the violations, Keegan-Smith agreed to pay a $1,000 civil penalty.
