Court: Providence can cut pensions for corruption
Published: September 8, 2009
Updated: September 8, 2009
PROVIDENCE—A judge has decided a Providence city board can eliminate or reduce the pensions of former city officials, even if they were not convicted of a crime.
Superior Court Judge Michael Michael Silverstein ruled Tuesday that a criminal conviction is not necessary before the Providence Retirement Board can revoke or reduce pensions of city workers accused of dishonorable service or corruption.
“Despite fierce opposition and legal roadblocks, I have argued that employees who violate the public trust are not entitled to lifetime pensions at taxpayer expense. Today, the Court upheld that standard,“ Mayor David Cicilline said in a statement. “This reaffirms our expectation that every employee must perform honorably in order to receive the benefits of a pension.“
The case involved several people implicated in Operation Plunder Dome, a federal investigation that brought down former Providence Mayor Vincent “Buddy” Cianci Jr. Among them was former Cianci aide Frank Corrente, whose pension was reduced after he was convicted of accepting a cash bribe.
The ruling also affects the case of former Providence Police Chief Urbano Prignano. He was denied a pension after being accused of rigging promotion tests. He was never charged with a crime.
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Reader Reactions
I wholeheartedly agree with this concept that public officials must serve ‘honorably’ in order to qualify for any pensions and benefits upon retirement. The case of the Cranston firefighter comes to mind whereas the cop who shot and killed the guy gets to collect his pension after less than a year on the force. That type of ‘union negotiated’ crap is part of the reason why our state is going bankrupt. Thank an FOP union offical next time you talk them about that one. I wonder what the teachers union have in theirs? Makes you think if it’s not for the best if the state would go bankrupt so all of these contracts can be renegotiated in order to put some sanity back into play. The years of abuse have caught up to us folks!
The saddest part about this whole mess is that most union members don’t realize that the union heads don’t have their best interests at heart. Union heads are primarily interested in one thing: increasing membership and union dues. Let’s face it, if the union heads had their members’ best interest at heart, they wouldn’t be facing massive layoffs!
Go Mayor Cicilline!! The tax payers should not have to support corruption. This should be mandatory statewide. Pay attention to who you vote for and ask the questions. I know I will find out about this topic from whoever is running that I can vote for. I am looking for change, and this is one example of the kind of change we need. It is unbelievable that this had to go to a judge!! Talk about the taxpayers being hamstrung by the unions and the politicians who negotiate this kind of crap! The unions were on the front steps of the court on Friday cheering on the judge who made the decision against the mayor to close the state for 12 days, until it could be fully reviewed, well, picture the taxpayers on the front stairs today cheering this decision!!! YAHOO!!!
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