Bakdoor Biz Bucks for Gov Pataki

July 18, 2005 -- New York-based telecommunications giant Verizon, which is heavily regulated by the state Public Service Commission, gave Gov. Pataki a $25,000 political contribution — five times more than is permitted by the New York Election Law.

But despite the fact that Pataki appoints all five members of the PSC — all of whom will have to vote on rate hikes and other regulatory changes sought by Verizon — the huge contribution given Friday was legal.

That's because the cash went to Pataki's controversial, Virginia-based, national political-action committee and is not subject to New York's $5,000 limit on corporate contributions, which was designed to curb the influence of multibillion-dollar companies.

...snip...

Pataki has routinely said he uses the Virginia PAC to circumvent the New York law because he's legally permitted to do so.

http://www.nypost.com/commentary/50093.htm