Outrageous: Pol's Getting Pensions While Still In Office

Vito Lopez

We thought it was pretty darn bad that several notable convicted politicians, including Alan Hevesi, Joe Bruno, Guy Velella and Clarence Norman, continued to receive taxpayer-funded pensions worth tens of thousands of dollars a year even after they were convicted of criminal charges. But it turns out that even the ones who haven't been convicted yet are doing their own dirty dealings: at least 11 politicians are double-dipping, taking advantage of a loophole that allows entrenched elected officials to collect pension checks while still in office. And by the love of Costanza, it's just not right!

To claim the benefit of the loophole, an official only needs to "retire" on Dec. 31, then show up on New Year's Day to get sworn-in anew. Even though the Legislature closed the loophole in 1995, politicians elected to office before that date can still collect. And this year, 11 lawmakers, including seven Republicans and four Democrats, all filed their "retirement papers" with the state Comptroller's Office. That illustrious list includes Brooklyn Democratic boss Vito Lopez, former state Democratic Chairman Herman Farrell, former Bronx Democratic Chairman José Rivera, and Republican Assemblywoman Nancy Calhoun (the Post conveniently leaves out the names of the other six Republicans, but makes sure to lead with the major Democrats involved). Lopez, 69, is expected to receive an estimated $88,000 pension annually on top of the $92,000 salary, while Farrell, 78, is eligible for a pension worth a projected $108,000 over his $113,500 salary.

Calhoun argues that taxpayers actually benefit from her taking her pension while she is still getting a salary, using what sounds like fuzzy math to us: "It's actually costing them less because if I retired in four, six years, my pension would have been higher. I actually will end up receiving less money from the State of New York," she said. Other politicians are clear-cut about what they feel is a wanton disregard for the public's trust: "It's not right and it shouldn't be done. It's double-dipping. People will continue to believe the worst about Albany when they read what these 10 people are doing. If they're my colleagues, shame on them," said Assemblyman Michael Fitzpatrick, who has authored a bill to remove elected officials and appointees from the pension system.

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By Ben Yakas in News on December 15, 2010 6:26 PM

Comments [rss]

randomtransplant

Our democratic process must REALLY SUCK - the loophole was closed in 1995.

How has this not become a campaign issue? This is actually something actionable, something worthy of evaluating when voting.

And, again, greed is not intelligent. These people were lucky and unscrupulous and even willing to tarnish their public record.

An "intelligent" person would have learned to live within their means as a wealthy official without resorting to theft.

Dejola

Our society rewards intelligence and penalizes ignorance. If the laws need to be changed then let's change them. We deserve the politicians we elect. If more honest and, yes, intelligent people would get off their asses and take an interest in who gets elected and how our government is run we'd all be better off. It is not immoral to know the law and use it to better yourself.

Go to school, get smart, advance yourself. Be a good person.

randomtransplant

The fallacy here is in assuming that greed is "intelligent".

Thank god thats not the case - if it were, the impoverished would be stupid not to steal.

theplanetofchuck

Why in an "intelligent" society should we have laws for everything. Shouldn't an "intelligent" person have a higher set of ethical standards and not be required to have specific rules to dictate their actions?

Spongeworthy

I don't get this. I thought the State's highest court determined in the 80's that this wasn't allowed when a bunch of state trial judges who had just got re-elected tried the same thing. OTOH, the Legislature always puts in exceptions for their own members. In other words, the law that applies to everyone else never applies to them.

Dejola

Let's be fair. Double dippers are merely exercising their rights under existing laws. Maybe the laws need to be changed, but until they are people who are intelligent will indeed act to improve their lot and have a better life for themselves and their families. Less intelligent people and low lifes who lay around smoking crack or imbibing booze are oblivious to their surroundings and miss these opportunities for a better life.

jaycjay

So to summarize your position: the "intelligent" way to live your life is to do anything you legally can get away with to enrich yourself, no matter what it costs other people. Only "less intelligent" people would feel they have a moral responsibility not to take advantage others; the "intelligent" know that as long as it's legal it's by definition right.