Fine Schlein In Misuse of Staff For Law Work

By REUVEN BLAU

The Conflicts of Interest Board fined Stanley K. Schlein, the former chairman of the city's Civil Service Commission, $15,000 last week for using two office staff members to file documents, make calls, and prepare invoices for his private law practice while on city time.

STANLEY SCHLEIN: Punished for improprieties.

Mr. Schlein, a power in the Bronx Democratic Party, acknowledged that he asked the CSC's Office Manager and an Administrative Associate to photocopy documents, mail letters and deliver packages for his private practice.

Misused Phone

Mr. Schlein, who began working for the CSC in 1982 and was named chairman in 1990, also admitted that he used his office phone for non-city matters, totaling over 2,000 such calls from January 2004 to September 2006.

In a settlement with the board released Jan. 23, Mr. Schlein said he violated the city's Conflict of Interest Law that prohibits public servants from using city resources or personnel for a non-city purpose, in particular a private business.

In 2006, Mayor Bloomberg decided against reappointing Mr. Schlein after the Village Voice reported that state court officials banned him from accepting guardianships and other judicial appointments, referring to "conduct incompatible with the appointment and/or unsatisfactory performance."

The five-member Civil Service Commission, which is now chaired by Simon P. Gourdine, handles cases from city workers appealing disciplinary charges as well as job candidates seeking to be reinstated to eligible rosters.