The state Public Integrity Commission heard testimony Tuesday as they look into whether Governor David Paterson improperly solicited and accepted tickets to the first game of the 2009 World Series at Yankee Stadium in violation of state law. Paterson, who has denied wrongdoing, did not attend. Kaitlyn Ross has the details about the hearing.

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ALBANY, N.Y. -- It was a very short hearing at the Public Integrity Commission Tuesday morning, just under three hours from start to finish, mainly because the man in question, Governor David Paterson, didn't show up.

"His failure to participate in this hearing sends the wrong signal to the employees of the State of New York," said Public Integrity Commission Executive Director Barry Ginsberg.

While the commission admits the governor asked to push the hearing back, they insist his lawyers didn't follow protocol to reschedule the proceedings.

Ginsberg said, "That is not only in compliance with the law, but compliance with the process that the law provides."

Though the defense was absent for the hearing, all of the prosecution's witnesses showed up, including three of the highest ranking staff of the New York Yankees.

"We have procedures, and we followed our procedures," said Yankees COO Lonn Trost.

Because the Yankees are registered lobbyists, public officials either have to pay their own way or prove they're on official business.

"I don't know what official business he was on, but that's up to the governor," said Trost.

The governor's counsel wrote the Yankees saying it was official business but then couldn't prove what that business was. Even the governor's former communications director advised him he should pay for the tickets.

"I gave that advise very clearly to everyone involved, which was my belief, which was not based on...I'm not an attorney. My advice was that the tickets should be paid for," said the governor's former Communications Director Peter Kauffmann.

Kauffmann eventually resigned over the scandal, saying he felt he'd been lied to, though he didn't elaborate at the hearing.

He said, "Every question about this that can be asked has been asked twice by the Public Integrity Commission. I came here today to testify truthfully, honestly, and I think I've done that.

Kauffmann said he's eager to put this whole thing behind him now, though it'll be a while before the governor can do the same. The Public Integrity Commission doesn't meet again until October, and that's likely when we'll find out how the civil penalty was assessed, though the governor could owe up to $110,000.