Milwaukee County Executive Abele Proposes Restrictions on Pension Payments to Former County Employees Convicted of Felonies
Amendment to County ordinances is requested in wake of recent arrests.
MILWAUKEE – Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele is proposing the County Board amend the Milwaukee County General Ordinances to terminate pension benefits to employees who are convicted of felony crimes.
Since taking office in 2011, County Executive Abele has worked hard to clean up the County’s long muddled pension and benefits system. In 2011 he pushed for the reform of the sick leave system that is saving millions of dollars and in 2013 he closed a loophole in the infamous pension backdrop program. More recently, County Executive Abele convened a work group to look at how to best fix the County’s complicated and long-troubled pension system.
This new proposal comes in the wake of some County employees who were involved in serious criminal activity attempting to access retirement or other benefits.
“These are insults to residents who pay their taxes in good faith with the expectation that public servants will be responsible stewards of their money,” said County Executive Abele. “It is also incredibly unfair to our hardworking employees who come to work every day and do not lie, cheat, or steal. Criminals should not benefit from taxpayer funded pension benefits. It is essential that we deter future crimes and send the message that corruption in local government will never be tolerated.”
The amended ordinance will clarify that:
- Milwaukee County can forfeit pension benefits following a felony conviction.
- No member (or beneficiary designated by such member) shall be entitled to receive any retirement or other benefit except a return of the contributions paid into the system without interest, if such a member (or beneficiary):
- Is convicted or pleads guilty or no defense to a Class A, B, C, or D felony (as defined by Wisconsin Criminal Code 939-951). Examples include murder, first degree sexual assault, enticement of a child for sexual assault, vehicular homicide.
- For lower classifications: is convicted or pleads guilty or no defense to a Class E, F, G, H or I felony (as defined by Wisconsin Criminal Code 939-951) AND such a felony or offense is related to the member’s employment with the County. Examples include: different degrees of aggravated assault, battery, theft, and misconduct in public office.
In addition to terminating pension benefits, under the terms of the ordinance, the County Pension Board would be able to retain the felon’s personal pension contributions to satisfy payment of any fine, penalty, or legal judgment owed by the convict. The funds would also be available to repay the County or other governmental entities for any funds that had been misappropriated.
The County Board will be asked to take up this common sense action immediately in March.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.
Recent Press Releases by County Executive Chris Abele
Milwaukee County Passes Ordinance to Advance Racial Equity and Improve Health Outcomes
Apr 29th, 2020 by County Executive Chris AbeleMilwaukee County leaders commit to eliminating institutional racism by addressing County polices, practices and power structures through a racial equity lens
Milwaukee County Officials Order All Municipal Polling Places Closed
Apr 6th, 2020 by County Executive Chris AbeleCounty Officials Implement Gov's Order to Protect Public Health
As a liberal, I have generally supported Chris Abele’s pragmatic positions despite the many criticisms he gets from progressives. Usually I see him as someone trying to balance quality service with fiscal realities and long-term stewardship. But this proposal goes too far and is unjustifiable for two reasons. First, we know that minorities are disproportionately targeted and profiled, especially for drug offenses, so this further entrenches the current inequity in the justice system. I’m not saying people who commit felonies shouldn’t have to face the legal consequences of their actions, but adding this kind of additional penalty (which also affects their families) is unfair when we already know that there’s a racial/ethnic disparity between *committing* a felony on the one hand and getting *apprehended* and *convicted* on the other. The second reason I object is that I feel the pension is still due the person even if they have engaged in a criminal action. A court of law will determine the punishment, and if financial restitution is required through that process, then fine. But it’s not the place of an employer to deny an earned benefit. Sorry Chris…this one isn’t cool.
Paul Miller did you read the story?
I don’t believe it’s legal to retroactively change the conditions of already earned pension benefits. If implemented, it might make a difference in a few decades. So doing this is just for show.