Garbageman forced out, fined $1,500 for accepting $20 tip

NEW YORK, Feb. 4 (UPI) -- A New York garbage collector who accepted a $20 tip was forced by officials to retire from his position and pay a $1,500 fine.

The New York City Conflict of Interest Board ruling, released to the public Monday, ordered Lenworth Dixon, 56, to retire from the New York City Department of Sanitation and pay a $1,500 fine for accepting a $20 tip from a resident for picking up a particularly large load of refuse, the New York Daily News reported Tuesday.

Dixon, who could not be reached for comment, made $73,534 as a sanitation worker, the New York Post reported.

City rules prohibit public employees from accepting tips.

"No public servant shall receive compensation except from the city for performing any official duty, or accept ... any gratuity from any person whose interests may be affected by the public servant's official action," the city charter reads.