CATCH AS CATCH CAN

Disability pension collected by able-bodied ex-cop shows flaw in the city's retirement system
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Former city cop gets caught doing construction work right after retiring on a tax-free three-quarters disability pension, then tests positive for cocaine - and what do the police unions do about it? Back him to the hilt, of course.

Using their 50% control of the Police Pension Fund board, the unions blocked the city from cutting off the pension the police-officer secured after reporting that he had suffered a shoulder injury that disqualified him from service.

This case vividly illustrates why the courts must uphold the public's right to inspect the names of all public pensioners and the amounts they receive. The ability of fellow citizens to check up on suspected chiselers is a crucial check against abuse.