The Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) today announced that a former Metro North assistant vice president has admitted to violating the State ethics law prohibiting nepotism by hiring her domestic partner to a position she oversaw.
Sherry Herrington, a former Metro North Railroad Assistant Vice President of Operation Services, admitted in a settlement agreement to violating the State’s Public Officers Law prohibiting employees from hiring relatives when she recommended and ultimately gave final approval to the hiring of her domestic partner in 2008. Under the settlement agreement with the Commission, Herrington was fined $3,500.
Herrington retired in late 2013 following a report by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Inspector General that found she misled human resources staff about her relationship with her domestic partner, and made the final decision to hire her to the $84,700 position over better qualified candidates.
New York’s ethics laws prohibit State officials from participating in any decision to hire, promote, discipline or discharge a relative, including domestic partners, for any compensated position.
“Ms. Herrington’s involvement with her partner’s hiring was not only inappropriate, it violated the law,” said JCOPE Executive Director Letizia Tagliafierro.
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