Imprisoned former school officials who stole millions of dollars from taxpayers continue to receive hefty public pensions for the rest of their lives, even while they serve prison time. Adding to the outrage, the crooks might even receive thousands of dollars a year in publicly funded, guaranteed health benefits paid for by the very people they cheated.
Pension payments to corrupt politicians and officials is nothing new. It is even mandated under state law. Legislation has been introduced to stop the practice and should gain some momentum from a Newsday article focusing on the sizable pensions paid to former Roslyn school officials serving prison terms for stealing $11 million they spent on vacations, jewelry and home mortgages for a decade.
The former Roslyn superintendent Frank Tassone is serving a four- to 12-year term for stealing $2.2 million from his taxpayers. Yet regular monthly pension payments amounting to $173,495 a year are deposited in his bank account. The district will also pay $7,000 for health insurance this year. Tassone will contribute about $710 for his share of the benefit, which he will receive for the rest of his life.
The district's former business official, Pamela Gluckin, who stole $4.3 million, receives a $54,998 annual pension, half of which goes toward making restitution. She also receives health benefits costing the district about $6,600 a year with her contribution amounting to about $39 monthly.
They are not alone. The former treasurer of the William Floyd school district who stole $777,000 collects a yearly pension of about $143,000. Former Comptroller Alan G. Hevesi, who admitted to misusing state personnel, gets a pension of $104,000 a year.
The inmates are constitutionally entitled to receive their pensions, but some state lawmakers have sponsored legislation to force corrupt officials who have betrayed the public trust to forfeit their public pensions.
Public officials occupy a position of public trust. Convicted officials who have abused their positions and broken the trust should not be rewarded.
