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Lawmakers Get Sweet Deal on World Series Tix

Critics say face-value tickets should count as a gift

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 4, 2009 6:59 AM CST
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(Newser) – Federal lawmakers have been getting tickets to sold-out World Series through a perk that has some ethicists crying foul. Some 75 tickets for this series have been sold to 15 lawmakers and their aides at face value by Major League Baseball and the teams. No ethics rules are being broken because the lawmakers aren't getting the tickets for free, but critics complain that the deal violates the spirit if not congressional rules banning lawmakers from receiving gifts.

"Anytime you have access to something that regular people don't have, it should be considered a gift," the director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington tells the Wall Street Journal." Regular people can't call the Major League Baseball office and get tickets." An MLB spokesman said there's a limited amount of face-value tickets available for lawmakers, and that the politicians need to go through the same channels as advertisers and members of the media.

Joe Biden and wife Jill watch Game 3 of the Major League Baseball World Series between the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies Saturday in Philadelphia.
Joe Biden and wife Jill watch Game 3 of the Major League Baseball World Series between the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies Saturday in Philadelphia.   (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Joe Biden shakes hands with New York Yankees' Derek Jeter before Game 3 of the World Series. Biden, as VP, is exempt from a ban on lawmakers receiving free tickets but paid face value for his anyway.
Joe Biden shakes hands with New York Yankees' Derek Jeter before Game 3 of the World Series. Biden, as VP, is exempt from a ban on lawmakers receiving free tickets but paid face value for his anyway.   (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
chamisi
Nov 6, 2009 4:33 AM CST
much like when the patriot act was shoved thru
TiredMemeCat
Nov 5, 2009 2:49 AM CST
Not one story on Newser about the secret ACTA treaty that will take away our rights. That's not an accident, folks.
Spudsy
Nov 4, 2009 6:47 AM CST
All the problems our government is facing and these clowns are sitting around watching the most slow moving event since plate tectonics?

 
ethics • MLB • World Series • ticket • baseball • politician • Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics • perks • 2009 World Series

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