Blue Mass Group

Reality-based commentary on politics.

Doing the right thing

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According to published reports (I note that the Globe seems to have missed this story), Treasurer Steve Grossman is moving to immediately suspend Sal DiMasi’s pension and begin forfeiture proceedings at the end of the month.

I think this is exactly the right thing to do. Continued pension payments to this convicted felon exemplify the culture of corruption in Massachusetts government that is so devastating to our collective ability to do the right thing (such as raising taxes and increasing needed state investments in infrastructure and education). Let’s not forget that taxpayers have already funded the defense of this criminal. Presumably, taxpayers will also foot the bill for his appeals. I note that his defense is the preposterous claim that he didn’t explicitly tie his support for Cognos to the secret payments he admits receiving — in essence, the “I stole it fair and square” argument. The arrogance of this man is staggering.

Let’s not forget that codefendant Richard Vitale, acquitted in this prosecution, still faces a June 30 trial on charges that he took $60,000 from ticket brokers in exchange for “influencing” Mr. DiMasi and others on scalping legislation. These are not boy scouts.

These criminals belong in jail. These criminals need to lose their pensions and return the money they stole. We need to demonstrate, loud and clear, that Massachusetts has zero tolerance for this kind of public corruption.

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Comments

  1. It seems there needs to at least be a law on the books allowing this rather than the Treasurer just seizing the Speaker’s pension. That being said even such a law would raise my eyebrows a bit. My understanding is that a pension is that person’s money to begin with. Therefore, if DiMasi were paying into it all along during his tenure in the House, it would seem he is entitled to it regardless of other circumstances. We don’t tell others who have been convicted that they can’t collect employer pension or Social Security due to criminal misconduct do we? If we do I’m not sure I like that either.

    • Here is the law (MGL 32, 15):

      (3) Forfeiture of Rights upon Conviction. — In no event shall any member after final conviction of an offense involving the funds or property of a governmental unit or system referred to in subdivision (1) of this section, be entitled to receive a retirement allowance or a return of his accumulated total deductions under the provisions of sections one to twenty-eight inclusive, nor shall any beneficiary be entitled to receive any benefits under such provisions on account of such member, unless and until full restitution for any such misappropriation has been made.
      [snipped]
      (4) Forfeiture of pension upon misconduct. — In no event shall any member after final conviction of a criminal offense involving violation of the laws applicable to his office or position, be entitled to receive a retirement allowance under the provisions of section one to twenty-eight, inclusive, nor shall any beneficiary be entitled to receive any benefits under such provisions on account of such member. The said member or his beneficiary shall receive, unless otherwise prohibited by law, a return of his accumulated total deductions; provided, however, that the rate of regular interest for the purpose of calculating accumulated total deductions shall be zero.

      This is the law, Christopher.

      I don’t understand why you so often defend official misfeasance, especially when it is a flagrantly venal as is this case.

      • I am defending what I see as one’s right to his compensation. This law still seems questionable to me and if I were the subject of it I’d be tempted to sue.

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