A.G. Schneiderman Announces the Arrest of Port Authority Employee for Allegedly Failing to Disclose Vacation Paid for by Vendor

NEW YORK—Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced the arrest of Sean Porter, the Landside Operations Manager with the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, for allegedly failing to report a vacation he received worth over $3,000, paid for by a cargo handling company licensed to do business at John F. Kennedy International Airport (“JFK”).

“My office is committed to ensuring that there is one set of rules for everyone,” Attorney General Schneiderman said. “Those who serve the public must be held to the highest ethical standards.”

Michael Nestor, Inspector General for the Port Authority of NY & NJsaid, "The defendant allegedly violated his position of public trust and used his position for personal gain.  In this case, the defendant chose to enrich himself and tarnish the reputation of the agency by allegedly accepting free travel, meals and other things of value from a company that does business with the agency. The Port Authority will not tolerate employee misconduct or corruption of any kind. Today’s arrest will serve notice to all Port Authority employees that the agency will not tolerate violations of the public trust or any other corrupt acts.  The Port Authority Office of Inspector General and its Law Enforcement partners will aggressively identify, investigate and bring to justice those who corrupt the integrity of the agency.”

According to papers filed in New York County Criminal Court, Porter, 49 of Huntington Station, NY, allegedly received a vacation to Miami paid for by a cargo handling company at JFK.  According to the complaint, in addition to plane tickets, the expenses included hotel accommodations, dining, and golf. It is also alleged that before the trip, Porter assisted that vendor in obtaining so-called “PONY” license plates for the company’s vehicles.  These plates are issued by the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, and are necessary for vehicles to operate in the restricted areas of JFK.

Porter was required to file yearly financial disclosure statements with the Port Authority due to his position at the agency.   Porter is charged with failing to report that he had received gifts from the same donor in excess of $1,000 on his 2013-2014 Financial Disclosure Statement.

The charges are accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

The investigation was conducted by Supervisory Police Investigator Edward Choo and Detective John Curnyn of the Port Authority Office of the Inspector General, under the supervision Steven Pasichow, Director of Investigations, Salvatore Dalessandro, Assistant Director of Investigations and Jeffrey Schaffler, Police Investigative Manager.  

The case is being handled by Special Counsel John Chiara, of the Public Integrity Bureau, with the assistance of Analyst Casey Lasda. The case is led by Bureau Chief Daniel G. Cort and Deputy Bureau Chief Stacy Aronowitz.  The Attorney General’s Criminal Justice Division is led by Executive Deputy Attorney General Kelly Donovan.