Time To Close This Loophole For Convicted NJ Politicians: Sen. Corrado

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — A bill that would strip public officials of their pensions if they are convicted of certain serious crimes is rolling along in New Jersey with the help of a state senator who represents several towns in Essex County.

Last week, Sen. Kristin Corrado – a Republican who represents the 40th district – introduced S-3188, the Senate version of A-4641, which passed a unanimous vote in the Assembly earlier this month.

According to a statement from Corrado’s office, here’s what the bill will do if it becomes law:

“[The] legislation would require the forfeiture of the pension or retirement benefit of a person if the person is convicted of any crime of the first or second degree, or the equivalent under the laws of another state or of the United States, when the offense is related to the person’s performance in or circumstances flowing from the public office or employment held by the person. The bill also specifies that pension forfeiture applies in cases that result in qualifying guilty or nolo contendere pleas, in addition to convictions. Further, the bill would open a person’s public pension to garnishment in order to fulfill court-ordered recovery of public funds.”

Corrado referenced a recent report from NJ.com, which claims that nearly 100 former state, county or local employees are currently receiving public pensions – despite criminal convictions related to their jobs. The cost? About $3.7 million per year.

“It’s almost unimaginable that public employees and elected officials in New Jersey can be convicted of serious crimes like accepting bribes, molestation, and child pornography while on the job and still be rewarded with a pension for honorable service,” Corrado said.

“If you violate the public trust and break the law while working for taxpayers, you do not deserve a taxpayer-funded pension,” she added. “The fact that this loophole hasn’t been closed yet is absolutely shameful.”

The state Office of Legislative Services (OLS) said the actual fiscal impact of the bill “cannot be determined” due to several “unknowable” factors.

“This bill will result in additional forfeitures, but overall, the fiscal impact of the bill if enacted is likely to be marginal,” the OLS stated in its Oct. 5 estimate.

The recently redrawn 40th district includes the following municipalities: Franklin Lakes, Ridgewood and Wyckoff in Bergen County; Caldwell, Cedar Grove, Essex Fells, Fairfield, North Caldwell and Verona in Essex County; Hawthorne, Little Falls, Totowa, Wayne and Woodland Park in Passaic County.

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