Posted on 08/24/2010 9:34:30 AM PDT by Qbert
There (are) lots of outrageous stories about people who collect public pensions after they commit crimes, but this one may take the cake:
The man accused of being the notorious ” Grim Sleeper” serial killer has reportedly collected $300,000 in pension payments, and will continue to collect them until he dies.
City documents obtained by L.A. Weekly show that Lonnie Franklin Jr., 57, has been collecting monthly disability pension checks from the L.A. pension system for 19 years after being injured while working as a garbage collector.
The first checks, in 1991, were a little less than $900; they are now $1,658.54 per month, according to documents obtained by the Weekly, which reported that his running total so far is $300,000. If he lives to age 82, that amount would reach $1 million.
The Office of the City Attorney told the Weekly that Franklin cannot be cut off, even if he’s convicted and sent to death row. He or his family will be paid until he dies.
Emphasis added. I’m sure California taxpayers feel good about their hard-earned money going to enrich a serial killer every month.
John and Ken (KFI-AM) should be good today, if they get wind of this story!
He was paid to be a trash man (or whatever). He did his job. Ergo, he gets paid.
Like some Hypnotic programed “Key word”.
"even if he’s convicted"
What's the big story here, we still have the presumption of innocence in our legal system, I don't think anyone wants to do away with that. We don't impose sanctions prior to a conviction, except when it comes to property, and then you can have those seized and forfeited without a conviction.
“What’s the big story here, we still have the presumption of innocence in our legal system, I don’t think anyone wants to do away with that. We don’t impose sanctions prior to a conviction, except when it comes to property, and then you can have those seized and forfeited.”
No disagreement with what you are saying, but I think the story is really about the “even if convicted” part. Legislators can of course pass laws limiting rights of convicts- such as felons not being allowed to vote (unless Acorn sneaks them in to vote for Al Franken...).
And I think the story is also hinting at the fact that you have a state that is bankrupt and relying on IOUs (and a country that is essentially bankrupt), and yet payments will continue to be made to this particular individual if he’s convicted- while more pressing societal needs are not met. The rule of law needs to be buttressed with fiscal sanity; otherwise at some point, it too becomes meaningless.
What does his disability pension which he "earned" (an assumption!) before his conviction have to do with anything? If he pays the lottery and wins AFTER his conviction, could the state refuse him/his family his money? (assuming an inmate can play the lottery ...) If he had millions in bank accounts (minus any fines/leins for pain and suffering to his victims/thier families!) - could the state refuse him / his family this money?
A decent victim’s rights attorney should be able to attach this money!
Verily.
Except of course unless you get pulled over on the interstate and you have too much cash on you, then that can be stolen, err, I mean seized without any such due process. One of the great benefits that the war on drugs has given us, that ol’ pesky constitution be damned.
But that is criminal ...
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