Blinq

Jersey's professional double-dippers

Despite 2007 law, state finds attorneys and others grabbing bennies

8 comments

Jersey's professional double-dippers

POSTED: Thursday, July 19, 2012, 9:24 AM

New Jersey State Comptroller Matthew Boxer.

Cynicism about politics is cheap and wearisome, but revelations about purported "public servants" profiting at taxpayer expense can be downright exhausting.

Consider the report this week by New Jersey Comptroller A. Matthew Boxer, who found that private attorneys and other professionals whom a 2007 law deems ineligible for public pension benefits are still sucking them up.

"Despite the clear mandate of (the law) and the accompanying guidance provided to local (governments), an overwhelming majority of (those) surveyed...failed to comply," Boxer said in a statement. The non-compliance in just the 58 municipalities surveyed could be costing those of us who pay taxes in New Jersey $2.2 million a year.

A 40-page testament to the persistent if not permanent gall of Jersey pols and their pals, Boxer's report did not, alas, name names. But it did cite offending municipalities statewide.

That a good number are in the single-party fiefdom of Camden County is no surprise to anyone familiar with the historical coziness between local governments and wired/hired professionals of all sorts.

(Lest we get prematurely lionize Boxer, let's also note the story on Watchdog.org, a citizen journalist website, that suggests the comptroller's office itself has hired professionals who could be considered double-dippers).

Back in the double-dipping mecca of Camden County, one private attorney who does work for 10 municipalities complained that the 2007 law is, tragically, "so confusing."

Borrowing a line from Midnight Oil's populist anthem "Beds are Burning" (video below), I suggest a clear-cut solution for private professionals who are receiving public pension money despite being statutorially ineligible.

Give it back.

Kevin Riordan @ 9:24 AM Permalink | 8 comments

8 comments

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Comments (8)

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 11:10 AM, 07/19/2012

Back in the double-dipping mecca of Camden County, one private attorney who does work for 10 municipalities complained that the 2007 law is, tragically, "so confusing."

This moron should be fired by all 10 municipalities! Wake up people and speak up for you are getting no pensions but paying for one for some part time lawyer making lots of money. He is probably a Democrat 1%er looking out for his slice of the 1%....oh the irony.

— UTR

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 11:35 AM, 07/19/2012

I bet he was so confused when he was recieving the extra money and benfits. Cant come up with a better excuse?

— mgondek652

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 11:38 AM, 07/19/2012

one word - J A I L

— Justicek

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 12:18 PM, 07/19/2012

Why is the Inky concerned about NJ. Philadelphia City Hall double and triple dips more taxpayer money in 1 month than all of NJ does in 1 year. The best way to fight this is to shine a bright enough light on City Hall to get the Feds interested.

— axxell

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 12:45 PM, 07/19/2012

A 100% tax on all ineligible pensions, and penalties of 500% of the amount collected levied on the PERSONAL income and property of the collectors and the grantors. Subject them to the same garnishments and account seizures that the average person would be subject to.

— jp8899

Comment removed.

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 5:04 PM, 07/19/2012

Now hold on for a moment. Some of these folks double dipping might just be "job creators" who are being penalized just for being successful at thieving from the rest of us chumps. Let's not rush to judgment and criticize and demonize these people for being successful at gaming the system.

— Tkat

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 7:45 PM, 07/22/2012

More good news about Camden County and their cronies. Nothing will change as long as the citizens do nothing. These people thrive on public apathy and laugh all the way to the bank. Way to go Camden County government.

— SocialReject