ALBANY — The state Commission on Public Integrity charged the Greater Rochester Association of Realtors with violating lobbying laws when it hosted two legislative receptions in Albany that exceeded the state's gift limit.
The commission said the association held events on June 9, 2008, and March 10, 2009, that violated the ban on gifts to state lawmakers. The commission said the cost of the events per attendee exceeded the value allowed under the law.
Ellen DiSano, a spokeswoman for the Realtors' association, declined to comment on the specific charges, saying, "It is the policy of the association to not comment on any pending issues."
The association was the fifth entity to be charged this year with violating the law for sponsoring a legislative reception that did not fit the "widely attended event" exception to the gift ban.
In the previous cases, the entities pleaded guilty, paid $250 and provided lists of attendees to the commission. The commission said it intends to use the lists to seek further action against executive branch employees who attended, or it forwarded the names of legislators who attended to the Legislative Ethics Commission, which oversees the legislative branch.
"Bringing these cases is part of the commission's efforts to educate the lobbying community and change the culture of entitlement in Albany," said Barry Ginsberg, the commission's executive director.
The charges were among 13 brought Monday against lobbyists and clients for alleged violations of the state's lobbying laws.
Source:democratandchronicle.com/
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