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Ex-JFK Airport exec convicted of accepting bribes
A former executive at New York’s JFK Airport has been convicted of stealing from his employer and accepting bribes totalling more than $1.3 million.
A prosecution brought by attorney general Eric T. Schneiderman found executive director of the Terminal One Group Association Edward J. Paquette accepted kickbacks for awarding business contracts to catering, transportation, and aircraft servicing companies.
Paquette admitted guilt and agreed to pay $2 million to settle civil claims
“Accepting bribes is a crime that undermines legitimate businesses and prevents access to equal opportunity for hard working New Yorkers,” said Schneiderman.
“My office is committed to rooting out corruption in contracting and we will use every tool available to stop those in positions of power from taking advantage of their authority.”
The investigation also said Paquette falsified invoices for an ‘Employee Appreciation Day’ for workers at Terminal 1 which never took place.
He approved payments to a catering services company Yankee Clipper Food Services which then returned a large sum back to Paquette as cash.
He pleaded guilty to one count of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, and one count of Commercial Bribe Receiving in the First Degree.
“The Port Authority requires that all business partners adhere to the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct. In this case, the defendant chose to enrich himself through an insidious pattern of corruption that allowed him to siphon millions of dollars at the expense of his employer and the other airline carriers they served,” said Michael Nestor, inspector general for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
It is the second successful conviction in an ongoing investigation into illegal business practices at JFK called ‘Operation Greased Runway.’
Last month Yankee Clipper Food Services and Express Hospitality Group were convicted of scheme to avoid paying taxes and ordered to repay $13 million.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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