Former Governor John Rowland, embroiled in yet another federal investigation involving the validity of consulting work, is now receiving his state pension. What about former Mayor Joe Ganim? City records show Ganim began receiving his city pension shortly after he resigned from office following his conviction on federal corruption charges in April 2003.
Ganim was eligible for early retirement as a result of 10 years of consecutive service. Elected in November of 1991 he left office in April 2003 at age 43.
The pension formula is factored on years of service based on the top three earning years. For Ganim the average top three municipal earning years was roughly $111,000 as a result of 11.4 years of service.
Ganim began receiving roughly $1,100 per month with annual cost-of-living adjustments through the Municipal Employees Retirement Program. Ganim reported to federal custody in September of 2003 so the pension in the early years was benefiting his wife and three young children while he was incarcerated. So far he has received more than $100,000 in pension benefits.
These days Ganim is working in the Ganim family law office trying to regain his law license. He also provides consultation to offenders entering the federal system. He toyed with running for mayor in 2011.
THIS IS COMPLETELY OFF TOPIC: This past weekend over the course of Saturday and Sunday, while walking my dog on Park Ave I saw a total of four cars blow out their tires on Park heading toward UB, between the entrances of Cleveland and West McKinley. And that is just when I have walked by. Lord knows how many more motorists have had blowouts. BE CAREFUL. I reported this hazard to motorists to City Hall this morning.
That pension plan should have Centupled, but someone dropped a dime on Joe.
Um, shouldn’t he be paying back the government for his upkeep for nine years?