As reported by nj.com, the state’s largest police union called on Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. to resign in the wake of revelations that he is receiving a salary and pension for the same job.
“This is unbelievable, the man is out yelling about reform and he takes a loophole to retire at a higher salary, a classic example of do as I say not as I do,” State Policemen’s Benevolent Association President Anthony Wieners said in a statement. “This exposes him as a fraud and just another politician who lies to the public.”
DiVincenzo quietly put in his retirement papers in August, allowing him to start drawing a $5,738 monthly pension payment. But, a loophole allows him to continue serving in the same position, earning $153,207 last year. State law allows elected officials in the public employee and police pension systems to “retire” but keep working.
DiVincenzo’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment this morning. In an interview Wednesday, DiVincenzo said he has done nothing wrong by collecting his pension after 29 years of public service. “It’s something I earned,” he said. “Why shouldn’t I be able to collect my pension?”
DiVencenzo, a Democrat, has clashed with law enforcement unions as he works with Republican Governor Chris Christie to rollback pension and health care benefits for public employees. A Christie spokesman declined to comment on DiVincenzo’s pension, but said the governor supports removing the loophole.