Pension payouts for convicted lawmakers (AP)

[Eugene]

Tuesday, January 23, 2007 · Last updated 12:36 p.m. PT

Pension payouts for convicted lawmakers

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Some former lawmakers convicted of serious crimes, and estimates of their
possible congressional pensions.

The estimates, calculated by the National Taxpayers' Union, assume convicted
members are married, participated in the plan and choose to defer a certain
amount of their pensions so their spouses can receive benefits after the
members die. The NTU, an advocacy group, said its calculations also assume
that lawmakers enrolled in the system at the beginning of congressional service.

Figures are payment estimates for 2006 unless otherwise noted.

-Rep. Bob Ney, R-Ohio, eligible for $29,000 in 2016. Convicted of bribery and
other charges in 2006.

-Rep. Duke Cunningham, R-Calif., $64,000. Convicted of bribery in 2005.

-snip-

Full article: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1153AP_Congress_Pensions_List.html

Article continues with many more.

[Debi]

1. Where should the line be drawn?

If a former member of Congress gets a drunk driving charge should they forfeit theri pension? If they bounce a check?

I agree that if they committed a criminal act in order to remain in office or to further their political ambitions or those of their party there should be some questions.

But where is the cut off?

[Eugene]

2. My position: Corrupt sale or abuse of services as a Congressperson

should be grounds for loss of a Congressional pension.
Taking a bribe, defrauding the government as a member
of Congress should count.

Offenses not committed in one's capacity as a Congressperson
should not be grounds to revoke a Congressional pension IMO.

Randy "Duke" Cunningham and Bob Ney fall under
that first category.

[Debi]

3. Thanks for the clarification

:hi: