Ethics panel probes NY governor's Yankee tickets

NEW YORK (Reuters) - An ethics panel is investigating allegations that New York Governor David Paterson got free tickets to the World Series in violation of state rules, the governor's press office said on Tuesday.

The inquiry by the New York state public integrity commission followed news reports that Paterson's senior adviser requested free tickets from the Yankees to last week's opening game of the baseball championship series at Yankee Stadium in New York, which Paterson attended with his son, two aides and a friend.

"The governor attended Game One of the World Series in his official capacity to represent the state of New York at a ceremonial occasion. All other tickets are being paid for," said Paterson spokeswoman Marissa Shorenstein.

Asked about the issue on Tuesday, Paterson told reporters, "We had sent them (Yankees) the letter only about me. We planned to pay for the tickets all along. We only asked the question about me. Everything else had to be paid for."

Officials are barred from accepting gifts from those doing business with the state.

The tickets were valued at $425 each and were located several rows behind home plate, The New York Times reported.

The inquiry is the latest headache for Paterson, who took office last year after his predecessor, Eliot Spitzer, resigned from office in a prostitution scandal.

Paterson is suffering record low approval ratings as he heads toward the 2010 election. He is seeking re-election despite reports that President Barack Obama, a fellow Democrat, urged him not to.

The Yankees play the Philadelphia Phillies at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday in Game Six of the best-of-seven series.

(Reporting by Edith Honan; Editing by Ellen Wulfhorst and Peter Cooney)