Well, it is really hard to find parking by the ESP
The state Inspector General's Office announced today that a state Department of Health employee has been arrested for allegedly scoring a handicapped parking pass for the Empire State Plaza by using a forged doctor's note.
From the press release:
The Inspector General's investigation determined that in May of 2011, Witt obtained special parking privileges at his work location at Empire State Plaza based on a forged doctor's note. In addition, Defendant admitted that on three separate occasions in January and February of 2012, he submitted certified time records indicating that he had worked full days when he had not reported to work at all.
"New Yorkers have every right to expect that state employees will comport themselves with the highest degree of honesty and integrity," said Acting Inspector General [Catherine Leahy] Scott. "Fraudulently obtaining handicapped parking not only is unlawful, but potentially inhibits the rights of New Yorkers with disabilities in need of accessible parking. Further, any fraudulent abuse of time and attendance records undermines public trust. Such conduct is not tolerable."
The IG's office says Witt has been charged with four felony counts -- and faces up to four years in prison if convicted.
Full release after the jump.
By the way: Does anyone know how long the waiting list is now for a parking spot at the ESP?
State Inspector General Alleged Fraudulent ESP Parking Pass 2012-08-26
Say Something!
We'd really like you to take part in the conversation here at All Over Albany. But we do have a few rules here. Don't worry, they're easy. The first: be kind. The second: treat everyone else with the same respect you'd like to see in return. Cool? Great, post away. Comments are moderated so it might take a little while for your comment to show up. Thanks for being patient.
Comments
In other news from the state Inspector General's Office, it was announced today that 4,845 elementary and middle school children in numerous school districts throughout New York State have just been cited for submitting false instruments over the past year. "Yep. We've discovered that each of these children submitted a forged doctor's note with the express purpose of being excused from gym class," the Acting Inspector General said. "We just cannot condone the commission of a felony, even if the perpetrators are school children. Names will be released after parents have been notified."
... said Bob on Sep 26, 2012 at 4:30 PM | link
I bet you this guy NEVER imagined that something as simple as a fake doctors note could get him 4 years in the clinker.
Also,though I think parking in a handicapped spot is wrong, there always seems to be plenty of empty handicapped parking spots no matter where you go - I'm just saying.
... said Harold on Sep 26, 2012 at 5:13 PM | link
I can't say for certain what the wait time for a spot is, but I have heard it is almost 17 years to get inside the ESP garage.
... said CapHwys on Sep 26, 2012 at 6:19 PM | link
I work for the state and I live in Albany, uptown.
The parking situation is outrageous. The people of Albany bear all the costs of state workers (yes, I admit, I am one of them) driving and parking in our city, but the benefits of the state workforce in our local economy are shared across the region. There's something wrong with that equation.
For decades we have confused "transportation" with "car traffic" but the two are not the same. We in Albany have no obligation to distort our city to accommodate all these cars.
... said Chad on Sep 27, 2012 at 7:37 AM | link
This is not an exception. This is business as usual throughout the state workforce.
I am not saying it's everyone, there are plenty of good people at the state, but the culture tolerates a large and very comfortable population of moochers who don't do jack.
You have to step over them lying around the place.. usually figuraively... sometimes litterally..
... said Ko Ko on Sep 27, 2012 at 9:25 AM | link
I'm guessing that forging a signature is a serious crime, no matter what the reason. And you'd think the doctor whose name was forged would be as disturbed as the Inspector General.
I was under the impression that most assignments to new parking spaces were on hold while offices downtown were being "restacked."
... said chrisck on Sep 27, 2012 at 12:09 PM | link
Regarding waiting lists, it depends on what agency you work for. Not all downtown agencies are even eligible to park underneath the ESP. MOST downtown employees who don't park in the satellite lots park either in the Sheridan Hollow garage (AESOB, State Ed, etc.), and those on the plaza or the Capitol park in the East Garage. I also have some friends that park in the surface lot behind One Commerce Plaza - that's the real gem, if you don't mind your car being outdoors, as the price is the same as the shuttle lots. (This goes by State service seniority, I believe.)
I work on the plaza and I was eligible for parking in the East Garage immediately, at my agency (I turned it down as I live near Washington Park and walk to work). Other agencies there is a waiting list by *agency* seniority. Some have waiting lists by *state service* seniority. It generally boils down to how many spots the agency has allocated in the garage/lot and what is "fairest." To my knowledge, there is no waiting list for the shuttle lots.
My mother works in the AESOB and was eligible for a Sheridan Hollow spot, but turned it down as she lives a stone's throw from the McCarty Ave lot (seriously, you can see it from the bathroom window, which I imagine is unsettling if you're running late for work!), so she parks there. When I dogsit for her (she's a trainer, so she is on the road 2-3 weeks/month except in the winter), I have my car registered as a second vehicle on her tag. It is SERIOUSLY EASY. I could see where it would be a nuisance to park in the shuttle lot if you had plans to come in late or leave early (for whatever reason), and a contingency plan for those days is not exactly simple, but on most days for most people, I really think the shuttle lots get a bad rap.
... said irisira on Sep 29, 2012 at 10:17 AM | link