STATE OF REW YORK
OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL
EMPIRE STATE PLAZA
‘Agency BLDG. 216 FLOOR
"ALBANY, NEW YORK 12223,
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NeW YORK, NEW YORK 10008, ‘BUFFALO, NEW YORK 14202
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INSPECTOR GENERAL
November 24, 2014
I HAND DELIVERED
Bruce Young
Chairman
75 Fort George Road
Post Office Box 749
Lake George, New York 12845
Re: In the Matter of David Wick and the Lake George Park Commission,
Dear Chairman Young:
On September 22, 2014 my office received allegations regarding David Wick,
Executive Director of the Lake George Park Commission, as well as the Lake George
Park Commission, | am writing to advise you of the results of this investigation.
On September 11, 2014 the Lake George Park Commission (Commission) held a
retirement party for retiring Commissioner Tom Conerty to recognize his fifteen years of
service as a commissioner, nine of those years as Vice Chairman, In hosting this
retirement party, both David Wick as Executive Director and the Commission appear to
have violated the New York State Public Officers Law as well as Commission policy and
procedures as it relates to prohibition of gifts.
Atall times relevant the Commission has regulatory authority over the Lake
George Steamboat Company.
David Wick testified before the Inspector General that in addition to Executive
Director, he also serves as the ethics officer for the Commission. On June 6, 2013 Wick
attended Code of Conduct training conducted by the Inspector General whereby he wasspecifically trained on issues relating to gifts, conflicts of interests and appearances of
impropriety. After this training on September 6, 2013, the Inspector General requested
that Wick outline in writing what actions Wick and the Commission took as a result of
the training he had attended. Wick responded by correspondence dated September 26,
2013 that, among other things, he attended a four-hour “train the trainer” program
sponsored by the New York State Joint Commission on Public Ethics on May 16, 2013.
‘Additionally, Wick provided among other matters, ethics training to all Commissioners at
a special session on July 10, 2013.
With Mr. Conerty’s retirement approaching, Mr. Wick and several commissioners
met with the owner and an administrative staff member of the Lake George Steamboat
Company (Company) for the purposes of planning a dinner cruise retirement party for
Mr. Conerty, who worked as a Captain for the Company prior to and during the time he
served as a Commissioner. Following those conversations, the owner of the Company
donated the use of the boat, hors d’oeuvres, and a disk jockey. Attendees would pay $30
per person for the cost of a dinsier served on the dinner cruise and pay for their drinks
Subsequent to the initial planning of the retirement party, the Company owner further
donated the cost of an open bar. The Company owner admitted to the Inspector General
that he did pay for these items at the retirement party, indicating that Mr. Conerty was not
only an employee but a friend. He also indicated the usual cost to rent a boat for a party
is $850 per hour. ‘The invitation stated boarding at 6:30 pm with a return time of 10:00
pm for a total of 3.5 hours of use.
Wick utilized his staff to obtain an invitee list, send out invitations, collect money,
and maintain a list of attendees. ‘The invitation bears the seal of Lake George with an
RSVP return to a Commission clerk utilizing a Commission email address. Upon
learning of the further donation of an open bar, Wick sent an email to all Commissioners
dated September 9, 2014 outlining the Company owner’s donation of the boat, the hors
oeuvres, a disk jockey and the open bar. Wick indicated he would send a thank you on
behalf of the Commission after the dinner cruise. Wick testified that he did indeed send a
note of gratitude to the Company owner on behalf of the Commission. Despite ethics
training received by Commissioners, Wick testified no Commissioner voiced any concern
to him regarding the donations provided by the Company for the retirement party.
‘As the Executive Director and ethics officer who has received specialized
training, Wick never informed the Commission of the potential implication of Public
Officers Law sections 73 and 74. Additionally, Wick never reminded the Commission of
the guidelines and prohibitions of its own policy and procedures manual as set forth in
Section 5.1 entitled “Prohibition of Gifts and Bribes”. Wick not only coordinated and
facilitated this retirement party, but by sending the September 9, 2014 email to the
Commissioners, he effectively conveyed to the Commission that donations from the
Company owner were appropriate and permissible.Therefore, I am recommending the following:
1, All Commissioners and staff attend training by my office as well as by the
Joint Commission on Public Ethics;
2. ‘The Commission conducts a comprehensive review of all policies and
procedures as well as Commission bylaws immediately and implement
necessary amendments;
3. All Commissioners and staff should be trained on all policies, procedures and
bylaws once completed and certify that they have read and understand the
policies, procedures, and bylaws.
4, ‘The Commission should take appropriate disciplinary action against Mr.
Wick.
1am referring this matter to the Joint Commission on Public Ethics for its investigation,
review and sanction,
Sincerely,
Catherine Leahy
Inspector General