Two decades after Connecticut got stuck with the nickname “Corrupticut” thanks to big political scandals, a 2008 state law still quietly strips or reduces pensions from public employees convicted of work-related crimes. The headlines fade after the trials, but pension fights just keep happening in courtrooms all over the state—most folks never even hear about them.
With the recent conviction of former deputy budget director Kosta Diamantis, the law’s back in the spotlight. People are wondering about accountability, how much power judges should have, and whether taxpayer-funded pensions should stick around after criminal misconduct.
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Understanding Connecticut’s Pension Revocation Law
Lawmakers passed this in 2008, letting judges revoke or reduce pensions for public workers convicted of crimes tied directly to their jobs. The idea wasn’t really to scare people straight, but to give courts flexibility when deciding what’s fair.
The law only applies to crimes after October 1, 2008, so anyone convicted before then still gets their benefits. That’s just how it shook out.
Judicial Discretion and Real-World Application
Since then, the state attorney general has filed 31 pension revocation cases. In six of those, judges let convicted employees keep their pensions, pointing to things like family hardship or lesser guilt.
High-Profile Legal Battles
The first big test was in Hartford with ex-mayor Eddie Perez. He lost his entire $28,000 yearly pension after bribery and extortion convictions over city contracts.
His wife asked for partial benefits, but the court said no. That showed just how severe the law can get.
Different Outcomes in Bridgeport
Former Bridgeport police chief A.J. Perez got caught cheating in the city’s hiring process. His pension was cut in half.
His wife got 25% under the “innocent spouse” rule—a rare nod to family members who didn’t do anything wrong but still suffer financially.
Other Notable Cases Across the State
Cities from New Haven to Stamford have seen the law in action against all sorts of public servants. For example:
- Municipal accountants from Waterbury convicted of embezzlement.
- State troopers in Norwich charged with theft.
- Social service employees from Danbury involved in benefit fraud.
- City workers in New Britain found guilty of misusing funds.
It’s not just about politicians—corruption can pop up in any department, any city. That’s a bit unsettling, honestly.
Limits of the Law
One big limit is the law’s cutoff date. Folks convicted before 2008, like former Governor John Rowland and ex–state Senator Ernie Newton, still collect pensions paid by taxpayers.
People in places like Middletown and Meriden have called out this loophole, and you can see why.
The Current Spotlight: Kosta Diamantis
Diamantis’s case stands out just because of how much he allegedly did. He’s been convicted on 21 federal counts—bribery, extortion, you name it—all tied to the state’s school construction program.
He’ll get sentenced in January. Pension proceedings are probably next, but with an appeal coming, who knows when it’ll end.
What Lawmakers Are Saying
House Republican leader Vincent Candelora says the law was meant to let judges look at the facts in each case. He’s also pushing for better oversight and regular audits in towns from Fairfield to West Hartford to catch problems before they turn into crimes.
Looking Ahead: Accountability and Prevention
Pension revocation acts as a penalty after someone gets convicted, but is that really where the attention should go? Honestly, most experts say it makes more sense to focus on stopping corruption before it even starts.
Connecticut towns and cities could sidestep a lot of embarrassment with more transparency, stronger audits, and watchdog agencies that actually have teeth. Nobody wants to see the state dragged through another scandal like the ones that stained its reputation in the past.
The 2008 law still sits quietly on the books. It keeps shaping what happens to public employees who cross the line, even if nobody talks about it much.
Political integrity isn’t going anywhere. Courtrooms from Hartford to Bridgeport still wrestle with these issues every day.
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Here is the source article for this story: CT corruption: State sought to revoke pensions of 31 convicted public employees since law passed
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