'Mafia Cops' Get Life, and Their Pensions

There is something terribly wrong with anyone convicted of these heinous crimes receiving government pensions.

Despite having retired before being accused they committed the crimes as city employees, this alone should automatically negate their pensions.

The same goes for any government employee. There are instances of federal congressmen in prison receiving pensions. The latest most notable is Randy Cunningham: http://blogs.abcnews.com/theblotter/2006/05/pretty_pensions.html

My research shows talk of banning this practice over the past several years, and Congress has unanimously passed legislation several times but nothing has changed.

How do politicians justify allowing a dishonored fellow politician or government employee to continue to reap the benefits of their position after bringing such dishonor to those positions?

clipped from www.nytimes.com two retired police detectives, Stephen Caracappa and Louis J. Eppolito, were convicted of serving as assassins and spies for the Mafia while they were employed as detectives for the Police Department Mr. Eppolito to life plus 100 years, and fined him $4.75 million Mr. Caracappa got life plus 80 years, and a fine of $4.25 million Both men have been drawing tax-free disability pensions from the city since they left the Police Department, according to city records Because they retired before they were accused of crimes, their pensions will continue Moreover, the pensions are not subject to seizure for payment of the fines, . The Daily News reported last year that 450 corrupt former officials, judges and police officers were receiving pensions