“The Port Authority has zero tolerance for ethics violations," said Port Authority spokesman Ben Branham. | Getty Port Authority ethics chairwoman resigns after intervening in daughter's traffic stop

Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Ethics Committee Chairwoman Caren Turner has submitted her resignation to the bistate agency following a traffic stop involving her daughter.

Her resignation came after Turner showed up and flashed her Port Authority badge at a recent traffic incident involving her daughter, according to two sources familiar with the incident. The Port Authority was subsequently alerted to the incident.


Turner had no immediate comment.

“The Port Authority has zero tolerance for ethics violations," said Port Authority spokesman Ben Branham. "This is the basis of the tough, systematic integrity reforms the Port Authority has implemented over the past year. Immediately upon learning of allegations that Commissioner Turner violated the board’s newly-enacted Code of Ethics, an inspector general investigation was begun. The investigation revealed conduct that was profoundly disturbing. After Commissioner Turner became aware of the investigation, she resigned.”

In Turner's April 20 resignation letter, she said, "I have enjoyed my involvement in overseeing the critical work of the Port Authority and advancing values common to the residents of New York and New Jersey including the proposed improvements to the Port Authority airports and bus terminal, and the proposed increase to the minimum wage for airport employees."

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie nominated Turner, a Democrat, to the Port Authority board last year. New Jersey state Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg championed the public relations executive’s nomination.

A Washington, D.C.-based public relations professional with a residence in Tenafly, Turner was little-known in New York and New Jersey circles.

Weinberg, at the time, said she had met Turner through “a variety of women’s events.”

Reached by phone, Weinberg said she was aware of the resignation.

Turner chaired the Port Authority's Committee on Governance and Ethics.

As of Monday morning, her name and headshot had been wiped from the Port Authority website.