Senator Greg Ball Calling for Pension Forfeiture For Criminal Public Employees

BREWSTER, NY- Senator Greg Ball (R, C—Carmel) is calling for a loop hole in New York State social security law to be closed, which allows public employees who are convicted of crimes related  to their offices, to still receive a state pension and retirement benefits. Senator Ball has proposed an amendment which would close this loophole requiring that pension rights be forfeited, when a public employee is convicted of certain crimes related to public employment.   
 
Senator Ball noted the long list of New York public officials who have been indicted in recent years. Most recently Senator Kruger and Assemblyman Boyland of Brooklyn, as well as 6 other associates, are accused of taking bribes.
 
This is an important issue for Senator Ball who sees corruption amongst public officials as costly and burdensome to tax payers. “This is a common sense measure, that should have been passed years ago. Corrupt public officials should not be supported by the taxpayers they have defrauded. The state should not have to pay for someone who did not carry out lawfully the position they were trusted with.”   
 
"As public officials, we are granted a higher level of authority by the people we serve," Assemblyman Robert J. Castelli (R, C - Goldens Bridge) said. "That begets both a higher level of responsibility and accountability. This bill goes a long way to closing a loophole that has, in the past, rewarded convicted criminals for their misdeeds. I applaud Senator Ball for his diligence in pursuing this matter."
 
Ball was joined by representatives of the Putnam, Dutchess and Westchester County Legislatures, as well as Town Supervisors from throughout the 40th senate district. Vinny Tamagna, Chairman of the Putnam County Legislature supports the measures Senator Ball’s Bill takes to strip corrupt public officials of their pensions “I do believe that Senator Ball’s proposed bill brings justice to the unconscionable acts of the past and as a result, I whole heartily support Senator Ball's efforts to get this important legislation passed in the New York Senate and the Assembly and for it to become law in New York State.”