Big Apple cracks down on $18m fine-dodging diplomats

THE new UN secretary general has expressed support for New York City’s goal of recouping nearly $18 million (€14 million) in traffic fines owed by UN diplomats and members of the consular community.

Most of that debt came prior to a city crackdown four years ago on envoys, routinely cited for illegal parking on city streets but who rarely paid because of diplomatic immunity.

When asked what he would say to diplomats to get rid of the backlog, Ban Ki-moon said: “It is important for diplomatic officials who enjoy diplomatic immunities and privileges to abide by and comply with all necessary regulations in force in the countries where one is working.”

According to New York City’s Department of Finance, 99% of outstanding debt by the diplomatic community was incurred before a 2002 agreement between the mayor’s office and US State Department.

Just $250,000 (€193,000) of unpaid fines have accumulated since the agreement though some violations are new or haven’t gone through the courts yet.

UN spokesman Farhan Haq suggested a way to avoid the problem altogether — walking. He noted Ban has been walking to work “so maybe some people can follow his example”.

Topping the list of countries owing the most was Egypt, racking up $1.9m (€1.4m) in fines.

The US government has been withholding, in the form of aid, the amount owed by each country, plus 10% on fines. In the four years since the deal, the Department of Finance said it has collected $3m (€2.3m) of debt owed before 2002.