"APPOINTED PUBLIC OFFICIAL CHIEF ACCUSED OF CRIMES"

Poughkeepsie Journal

State Official Appointed New Bridge Executive

April 17, 2004

By Larry Fisher-Hertz

A veteran civil service administrator has been tapped by Gov. George Pataki to replace embattled Jack Gaffney as executive director of the New York State Bridge Authority.

George Sinnott, who leaves his post as president of the state Civil Service Commission, will take over at the Bridge Authority effective Tuesday, the governor announced.

The Bridge Authority operates the Newburgh-Beacon, Mid-Hudson, Kingston-Rhinecliff, Bear Mountain and Rip Van Winkle bridges.

''Commissioner Sinnott is an outstanding public administrator, having served the people of New York state with distinction as commissioner of civil service for the last nine years,'' Gov. Pataki said. ''The Bridge Authority will benefit immensely from his tremendous experience.''

$140,000-a-year job

Sinnott will make $140,000 in the job, leaving the $120,800-a-year position at the Civil Service Commission.

''I am honored by Gov. Pataki's confidence in me, and I look forward to working with the authority board and staff in furtherance of a coordinated, seamless statewide transportation system,'' Sinnott said.

Bridge Authority spokesman Mark Sheedy said Sinnott had met with members of the authority's board of directors Thursday, ''and he impressed them as a very intelligent and capable gentleman."

Gaffney resigned his $138,000 post in June following published reports he may have improperly billed the Bridge Authority for trips to Texas, Florida and Japan. An Ulster County grand jury is scheduled to begin reviewing the charges against Gaffney this month, District Attorney Donald Williams said.

Gaffney assumed the authority's top spot in 1997. He has maintained his innocence of any wrongdoing.

Williams said the grand jury will also look into the overall operation of the bridge authority during Gaffney's tenure. That examination could result in criminal charges against Gaffney or others, or in recommendations on how the authority might operate more efficiently. After Gaffney's departure, the authority enacted measures to shore up its travel policies for employees.

Sinnott is the recipient of numerous awards, including the National Public Service Award from the American Society for Public Administration. In 1998, Governing Magazine selected Sinnott as Public Official of the Year for his successful turnaround of the Civil Service Department.

Sinnott is a Vietnam veteran and earned his master's degree in industrial relations from Vermont College.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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