NY Minute: Convicted politicians still collect state pensions

Daily News reports ex-Comptroller Alan Hevesi collects a $105,221 yearly state pension.

The Associated Press, 2007Former state Comptroller Alan Hevesi, who pleaded guilty in 2006 to using state workers to drive his wife around, collects a $105,221 yearly state pension.

From New York Daily News:

Just because they violated the public's trust doesn't mean they've stopped taking the public's money.

At least 10 ex-lawmakers who've been convicted of criminal charges are still receiving taxpayer-funded pensions worth tens of thousands of dollars a year, a Daily News review of state pension records found.

"The law says I've earned it. I am entitled to it. I take it," said disgraced former state Sen. Guy Velella, who receives a $75,012 annual pension from the state.

In other state news:

» New state teen driver law takes effect today [YNN]

» Same-sex bereavement leave approved by New York State government [New York Daily News]

» Assemblyman Mark J. F. Schroeder of Buffalo may challenge Sheldon Silver for Assembly Speaker [Buffalo News]