Two Oswego Port Members Held Seats Improperly

The New York State Inspector General found that two members of the Port of Oswego Authority held their seats in violation of statutory requirements, according to a report released today.

Richard Tesoriero and Ralph Jennings served on the authority although they were not residents of the city of Oswego, the report reveals.

The Port of Oswego Authority, which regulates port facilities, is governed by an uncompensated nine-member board of directors. Under State Public Authorities Law, seven members must reside in the city of Oswego. At the time of their term, those members included Tesoriero and Jennings. After receiving a complaint, the Inspector General’s office examined voter registration data and found that neither Tesoriero nor Jennings reside in the city of Oswego. In interviews, both conceded that they did not meet the requirement.

Jennings resigned his seat during the Inspector General’s investigation. While Tesoriero lived in the city when he was initially appointed, he moved in 1995. Tesoriero stated that at the time he sought an opinion from either the New York State Ethics Commission or the Governor’s Appointments Office regarding the residency requirement. This claim could not be verified.

Tesoriero’s ownership of rental property and a business in the city of Oswego does not satisfy the port authority’s residency requirement. Given these and other facts, the Inspector General stated that Tesoriero should vacate the seat.

The Inspector General‘s Office referred its findings to the Governor’s Director of State Operations, the Governor’s Appointments Secretary, and the Chairman of the Port of Oswego Authority Board of Directors for appropriate action.

The Appointments Office advised the Inspector General that on May 20, 2008 the state Senate confirmed Governor David A. Paterson’s nomination of Terrence Hammill to replace Tesoriero as a member of the Port of Oswego Authority Board of Directors.

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