view raw text
Monaghan Turns Down Request to Quit Post Gov. Rockefeller Tells Probers To Hold Public Hearing of Case BUFFALO, N. Y.. April 30.— Gov. Nelson Rockefeller said today he had requested George P. Monaghan to resign as harness racing commissioner but that Monaghan had refused. The governor said the discussion came last night during a private conference between Rockefeller and Monaghan in Albany. "I was not satisfied with his explanations to questions I asked him," Rockefeller said. "I do not think it is a question of dishonesty but rather a question of violation of the code of ethics." The accusations against Monaghan, a former New York city policeman, who was appointed to the post in 1954 by former Gov. Thomas E. Dewey with orders to "clean up" the sport, were made by the state commission on brvestigattons. When Monaghan failed to agree with the governors reque.t lor hfl resignation, Rockefeller ordered tin -ommission to conduct a public hearing. A spoke- BMM1 for the governoi in Albany r.aid Rockefeller!-; advice to Monaghan had not been dr.r Jo led last night "hecair.e the governor did not. want to prejudice the ca«e." Roekefi Her -.aid he asfced for the public hearing to give the Jiiuiie.-. lacing COItl- missionei an opportunity to answer the Charge: publicly. Jacob QrMBMt chairman of the state commission on investigations, said a hearing would be held in New York City "at the earliest possible moment." Monaghan denied any wrong-doing and asked for the hearing in a one-hour conference with the governor here last night. Rockefeller, in a letter to Grumet. said such a hearing would be "the fair and effective course of action" and should "be commenced and concluded as promptly as possible." The governor did not specify the nature of the charges, which never have been revealed but which have been reported to concern lavish spending by harness tracks and Monaghans supervision of the harness track building fund. It was the first public confirmation that the charges involved breach of the state code of ethics. As New Yorks lone harness racing commissioner, Monaghan is responsible for administration of the multi-million dollar sport. He had no comment as he left the meeting with Rockefeller, except to answer "yes" to a reporters question, "Are you happy?" Rockefeller said the charges were communicated to him by the investigation Commission, March 4 and April 6. "Commissioner Monaghan has presented to me a written and oral statement, responding to those charges," he wrote Orumet. "He deniei any breach of the code ol ethlCS. He has also indicated his desire to present he. side of the case at public besjringi ol the commission of Investlga lion "My counsel will suggest to you certain ■pecifiC question! which have arisen in the course ol my study ol your report and com BUSSioner Monaghans response which I feii require investigation," Rockefellei added Also, you have indicated to iny counsel your desire to pursue inns of in-! in ti v related t your repori . 1 haVC concluded that the fair and ct fective course of action is roc you to eon- I dUO these further investigations and such hearings ai you deem Appropriate Monaghans term does not expire until July 1. 1000, He may not be removed Mom In.-, post without action by the state senate. Which continued him for he job.
