Former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky, convicted of 45 counts of child sexual abuse, could still profit from his public pension.
Sandusky stands to collect $58,898 each year, according to PennLive.com, because the crimes he committed are not included on the list of 22 that would force him to give up his benefits.
Pennsylvania's public officials or retirees are required to forfeit their pensions under the State Employees' Retirement System (SERS) if they commit "certain crimes that breach the member's duty of faithful and honest public service." The list does not include sex crimes.
"I think it is nauseating that a convicted pedophile like Sandusky will be collecting a pension while sitting behind bars," Pennsylvania Rep. Brendan Boyle said in a statement. "He certainly doesn't deserve to continue to enjoy the benefit of a taxpayer-funded pension."
Upon his death, Sandusky's wife, Dottie, would be able to get half of the annual payout, PennLive.com reported.
Nicholas Maiale, chairman of the SERS board, told PennLive.com that he will get a legal review of the board's options in this case. "I am a Penn Stater and I am a citizen of Pennsylvania, and we are all morally outraged about this case and what happened to those kids,” he said, though he is not optimistic about a forfeiture.
Retired Penn State Vice President Gary Schultz, meanwhile, could lose his pension after being accused of perjury, PennLive.com reported.
Rep. Boyle introduced a bill in 2011, before Sandusky was charged, that is now one of six bills that could broaden the list of crimes that require public workers to give up their pensions, PennLive.com reported.
Sandusky’s sentencing is expected in about three months.
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