N.Y. Probes Democrat Convention Parties

ALBANY, N.Y. -- A state watchdog organization is investigating whether parties and events thrown by three companies at last week's Democratic National Convention violated state law, a source told The Associated Press.

The New York Temporary Commission on Lobbying also plans to closely monitor the bashes planned for the Republican National Convention starting Aug. 30 in New York City.

Citigroup, KeySpan and Eastman Kodak Co. have been sent letters seeking details of their events at the Democratic convention in Boston, the source said on the condition of anonymity. The investigation was first reported by The New York Times.

At issue is whether the galas -- where alcohol and food is served -- violated a New York state law that bans gifts to lawmakers worth more than $75.

http://www.newsday.com/news/politics/wire/sns-ap-conventions-parties,0,3717705.story?coll=sns-ap-politics-headlines

Or am I really that bad a geography?

I would imagine the companies will get their butts dinged, not us.

I imagine that they are looking to gifts (food and drinks) given
to members of the NY delegation that are also NY lawmakers, such
as, say it with me now, HILLARY. (would she be governed by State
law on this topic, given that she also has to abide by the rules
of the Senate and US Law??? I don't know.)

Or even just members of the delegation who are members of the
state legislature or mayors or such.

It's a move to politically embarrass people. Companies could
give a crap.

Just so you know, I had to operate under the federal rules about
this kind of stuff for 10 years, and it was constantly drilled
into us what we could take (coffee mugs OK, T-shirts OK, sweat shirts
are a NO) and what we could eat.

OTOH a company hosted party where there is a buffet line was OK
(so load up on all the shrimp you can eat!) but a sit down dinner
with individual servings was NOT (if it could total more than $50).

If a company invited you to dinner, you ALWAYS had to get separate
checks.

Very strict.