For immediate release:
GOV. CHRISTIE'S CREW HELPS EX-LEGISLATOR DOUBLE HIS PENSION
Larry Chatzidakis needed a favor from Gov. Chris Christie’s administration.
Nearing his 62nd birthday, the former New Jersey assemblyman had never held a full-time public job. Based on his 11 years as a legislator plus other part-time government posts, Chatzidakis might qualify for a modest state pension of roughly $19,000 a year.
Then a new executive position was created at the Motor Vehicle Commission – in the face of Christie’s vow to cut the state’s work force.
Chatzidakis was hired by MVC in May 2011 at a salary of $95,000 a year. It was also an opportunity to double his annual pension to $38,630 by the time he retired this year.
“It’s a fact I was hired and I retired,” Chatzidakis told New Jersey Watchdog. “The motivation? People can think anything they want.”
The month after he retired, the longtime GOP leader from Burlington County’s Mount Laurel Township returned to the public spotlight to defend Christie’s role in the Bridgegate scandal.
Quid pro or no, the Chatzidakis case illustrates how questionable pension practices continue under the nose of a governor who championed reforms of the state retirement system.
The story is online at http://newjersey.watchdog.org. The direct link is http://newjersey.watchdog.org/2014/04/21/christie-pension-abuse/.
1 comment:
So, let me get this straight: Christie is going to 'force' the issue of pension reform, which absolutely needs to happen, on the legislature and he builds credibility for this initiative by creating a position so a retiring GOP member can get a free retirement on the backs of all NJ taxpayers. Christie is a loudmouth hypocrite.
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