Senator Hoylman Applauds Preet Bharara for Scoring Victory in Campaign to Capture Pensions of Corrupt Politicians

Renews Call for Passage of His Legislation to Make Pension Reduction or Forfeiture Mandatory and Automatic for All Elected Officials Convicted of Felony Corruption

Hoylman: “We Must Restore the Public’s Trust” 

“I applaud United States Attorney Preet Bharara for his aggressive pursuit of the public pension payments made to corrupt elected officials. It’s certainly a victory that he compelled former Council Member Miguel Martinez to forfeit future pension payments until he repays the $106,000 he was convicted of stealing, but such forfeiture should be automatic and permanent for all elected officials who betray the public’s trust.

“I renew my call for passage of S.4836, which closes a loophole in the state’s Public Integrity Reform Act of 2011 exempting legislators elected before 2011 who are convicted of felonies related to their office from mandatory forfeiture or reduction of their public pensions. My bill does this without the need for a cumbersome and lengthy constitutional amendment process by tying an agreement to forfeit one’s pension in the event of a felony conviction for corruption to acceptance of per diems.

“We have an obligation to follow Preet Bharara’s lead in the effort to root out corruption and restore the public’s trust in government. I am committed to working with my colleagues in the legislature and Governor Cuomo toward this end.”