Yesterday, in a shocking expose, Lee Zurik of WWL-TV Channel 4 reported on a shocking situation here in Louisiana. Zurik uncovered that former Louisiana politicians who are sitting in jail are currently collecting their state pension or retirement, compliments of the taxpayers of Louisiana. For example, former Governor Edwin Edwards has collected almost $300,000 in the five years he has been in prison.
This is outrageous, as Louisiana taxpayers should not be paying one dollar to a criminal. If a person is a “regular” criminal who is collecting social security or any other government money, payments stop when a person is incarcerated. The same principle should apply to the political criminals receiving a state pension in Louisiana.
In our state, taxpayers are also footing the bill for other political criminals besides Edwards. We are paying former State Senate President Michael O’Keefe, who has been convicted twice, $36,000 per year We are paying former Insurance Commissioner Sherman Bernard, who was convicted of taking payoffs while in office, receives about $30,000 per year. We are paying criminals such as former State Senator Larry Bankston, and former Jefferson Parish Judge Ronnie Bodenheimer, and will soon be paying former Jefferson Parish Judge Alan Green a lucrative pension.
Former State Senator Art Lentini tried to pass a bill in 2006 to bar retirement payments to convicted criminals. Unfortunately, his bill died on the Senate floor. According to WWL-TV, at least 16 states have passed legislation eliminating benefits for federal offenders. It is time that Louisiana joined these other states in banning this outrageous practice. State Senator Steve Scalise (R-Metairie) will introduce a bill in the next session of the legislature to end retirement benefits for federal felons. Hopefully, the bill will be strongly supported by the new Governor and the entire legislature.
Jeff Crouere is a native of New Orleans, LA and he is the host of a Louisiana based program, “Ringside Politics,” which airs at 8:30 p.m. Fri. and 10:00 p.m. Sun. on WLAE-TV 32, a PBS station, and 8 a.m. till Noon weekdays on WGSO 990 AM in New Orleans and the Northshore. For more information, visit his web site at www.ringsidepolitics.com. E-mail him at jeff@ringsidepolitics.com.
Edwin Edwards did more for Louisiana than anyone in history. He should be paid for it. The people elected him over and over because they liked what he did for them. The payment that Edwards receives now is miniscule compared to the benefit he gave the state of Louisiana. Written by jc
on 2/13/2008
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If a person committed a crime while in office, then they should lose service credit for the year (and any subsequent years) in which they comitted the crime. They should not, in my opinion, lose credit for years prior to the time the crime was committed. Written by Truman Breithaupt
on 2/4/2008
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You wrote:
"So let me get this straight. You work 35 years earning a pension at GM and you retire. If you commit a crime, you should loose your pension."
Well, if the crime you committed was against the company that will pay your pension, then hell yeah, you should lose it. Pensions use the contributions of all employees to make the benefit work for those who retire. And with Louisiana state pensions, it also relies on taxpayer money as well. So if you've screwed the people whose contributions make your pension work, then you ought to be punished. I agree that this is drastic, and that there ought to be some discretion as to if or how much of the pension is lost. I don't want be unreasonable about it, it is an abomination for someone who abused their office for their own gain to continue to draw full benefits for their corrupt service.
Written by CharlieG
on 2/2/2008
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I BELIEVE WE HAVE ALL LOST CONFIDENCE IN OUR ELECTED LEADERS FROM THE FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL GOV'T... WHETHER DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN, THEY USUALLY HAVE THEIR OWN PERSONAL AGENDA... THROUGH LOOPHOLES, JAMES DAVID CAIN AND HIS BROTHER BURL HAVE BENEFITED WITH LARGE RETIREMENTS... BURL RETIRED ONE DAY AS WARDEN OF LSP WITH A RETIREMENT OF $45,000 AND WENT BACK TO WORK THE NEXT DAY IN HIS SAME JOB OF WARDEN WITH HIS LARGE SALARY.... Written by SWAMP-IRISH
on 2/2/2008
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So let me get this straight. You work 35 years earning a pension at GM and you retire. If you commit a crime, you should loose your pension. Prison is not enough. You must become a pauper for the principle of it.
The bill you want will not be retroactive because the pension of the employee, state or private, is already vested. This means it is not public property. It's a good bill, but it won't change anyone already vested and recieving benefits. The are also currently not eligible for social security. Well, better to create laws which impose restitution for the costs of incarceration. Written by feel good legislation
on 2/2/2008
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You're so right, Jeff! It doesn't matter how well Duke Cunningham distinguished himself with all these military honors! If he's been convicted of bribery and mail fraud and is in prison, he deserves NO salary! He is being housed, clothed and fed AT TAXPAYERS' EXPENSE!! (ALL these dirtbags ~ cause that's what they are ~ do not deserve a cent! Written by Deon
on 2/1/2008
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Why limit it to federal issues only? Did they fulfill their duties? Some legislators on both state and federal levels were not present for many of the votes? Are they entitled to a pension? If so, dear, is that not similar to corruption? We thought we would throw a little more reality into the mix. Have a safe and happy Mardi Gras one and all. Written by RhettsWife
on 2/1/2008
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JEFF, WHAT WOULD YOU THINK IF FORMER CONGRESSMAN DUKE CUNNINGHAM WAS DUE A STATE OF LOUSIANA RETIREMENT?? HE IS IN FEDERAL PRISON FOR BRIBERY, MAIL FRAUD, ETC, BUT ALSO RECEIVED THE NAVY CROSS, 2 SILVER STARS AND PURPLE HEART IN THE VIETNAM WAR.. CUNNINGHAM SPENT 21 YEARS IN MILITARY SERVICE... WOULD YOU DENY SOMEONE LIKE HIM RETIREMENT??? Written by SWAMP=IRISH
on 2/1/2008
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Outrageous is an understatement Jeff. Written by Linda
on 2/1/2008
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I agree 100% Jeff. It's time we tighten up in Louisiana. Written by Tony G
on 2/1/2008
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Yesterday, in a shocking expose, Lee Zurik of WWL-TV Channel 4 reported on a shocking situation here in 
