davidstuff.comConvicted Ex-Lawmakers Rake In Pensions |
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At least 20 former members of Congress
convicted of a range of criminal offenses continue to draw
taxpayer-supported pensions each year, according to the National
Taxpayers Union. Congressional pensions are not public records, and the NTU says it bases its estimates on a lawmaker's time of service, eligibility, and life expectancy. The numbers are adjusted based on factors such as cost of living changes, a former member's military service and marital status. All of the following were former members of the House of Representatives, with the exception of Durenberger, a former senator. Fauntroy was a non-voting delegate in the House representing the District of Columbia. Dan Rostenkowski (D-Ill.) - Convicted in 1996 on mail fraud charges - Pension in 1995: $96,500 - Pension in 2006: $126,000 David Durenberger (R-Minn.) - Convicted on fraud charges (1994 plea bargain) - Pension in 1995: $65,000 - Pension in 2006: $86,000 John Murphy (D-N.Y.) - Convicted on charges of conspiracy and accepting unlawful gratuity/ABSCAM scandal of 1980 - Pension in 2006: $79,000 Austin J. Murphy (D-Pa.) - Convicted in 1999 on voter fraud charges - Pension in 1995: $59,500 - Pension in 2006: $78,000 Duke Cunningham (R-Calif.) - Convicted in 2005 on charges of bribery - Pension with military service: $64,000; without military service: $36,000 Carroll Hubbard (D-Ky.) - Convicted in 1994 on fraud and corruption charges - Pension in 1993: $45,500 - Pension in 2006: $61,500 Mario Biaggi (D-N.Y.) - Convicted in 1988 on charges of accepting an illegal gratuity and obstruction of justice - Pension in 1989: $37,000 - Pension in 2006: $60,000 Walter Fauntroy (D-D.C.) - Convicted in 1995 on false financial disclosure charges - Pension in 2006: $55,000 (This assumes he opted to receive full, deferred pension upon turning 60. He may also have qualified for early, reduced pension under CSRS rules.) Mary Rose Oakar (D-Ohio) - Convicted in 1998 on charges relating to financial disclosure irregularities - First qualified in 2000 for pension: $46,500 - Pension in 2006: $54,000 George Hansen (R-Idaho) - Convicted in 1983 of charges of filing false financial disclosure statements - Pension in 2006: $53,000 (Conviction was vacated in 1995.) Joe Kolter (D-Pa.) - Convicted in 1996 on fraud and conspiracy charges - Pension in 1993: $34,000 - Pension in 2006: $47,000 James Traficant (D-Ohio) - Convicted in 2002 on racketeering and numerous corruption charges - Pension in 2003: $37,000 - Pension in 2006: $40,000 Larry Smith (D-Fla.) - Convicted in 1994 on tax evasion charges - First qualified for pension in 2001: $26,500 - Pension in 2006: $30,000 Frederick Richmond (D-N.Y.) - Convicted for tax evasion and drug possession in 1982 - Pension in 2006: $29,000 Bob Ney (R-Ohio) - Convicted in 2006 on charges of conspiracy and making false statements, in connection with the Jack Abramoff lobbying scandal. - Pension in 2016 when he turns 62: $29,000 (eligible for early retirement at age 56 in 2010, but pension would be reduced by 30 percent) Carl C. Perkins (D-Ky.) - Convicted in 1994 on charges of fraud and making false statements - Will quality for pension in 2016: $24,000 Albert Bustamante (D-Texas) - Convicted in 1993 on racketeering charges - Pension in 1997: $19,500 - Pension in 2006: $23,000 Donald E. "Buz" Lukens (R-Ohio) - Convicted in 1989 on charges of "contributing to delinquency of minor" (a misdemeanor) - convicted in 1996 on charges of conspiracy and bribery - Probably wouldn't qualify for pension because of cash-out option, but would have initially received pension of $18,000 (or less than $10,000 if not counting military service.) John Rowland (R-Conn.) - Served in Congress from 1985 to 1991 - Convicted in 2004 on corruption charges after resigning as governor of Connecticut - Will qualify in 2019 for $8,400 pension, if married Michael "Ozzie" Myers (D-Pa.) - Convicted on charges of conspiracy and accepting unlawful gratuity, in the ABSCAM scandal in 1980. - Pension in 2006: $8,000 According to the NTU, at least another six former lawmakers have been convicted on criminal charges, but do not quality for pensions because of insufficient service in Congress. |
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