Mar. 20, 2019
HARRISBURG – Legislation that would strengthen Pennsylvania’s laws governing public corruption was approved by the Senate today and heads to the governor’s desk, where it’s expected to be signed into law, said Rep. Frank Farry (R-Bucks), sponsor of the House version of the bill (
House Bill 939).
“Unfortunately, Pennsylvania has a long history of public corruption, and we need to ensure our laws do not allow offenders to evade the consequences of their crimes,” Farry said.
Senate Bill 113 would require a public employee or public official to forfeit his or her pension if he or she is convicted or pleads guilty or no contest to any felony offense, in addition to those crimes already listed in Act 140. The bill would also impact federal crimes that are classified as felonies or are punishable by a term of at least five years in prison.
Currently, the Public Employee Pension Forfeiture Act does not prevent public employees or public officials who are charged with a forfeiture crime from pleading to an offense that does not trigger pension forfeiture.
“Public officials would not be able to avoid losing their taxpayer-paid pension by pleading guilty to a lesser crime as we have seen in some high-profile cases over time,” Farry said.
The law will take effect immediately after its signed by the governor.
Representative Frank Farry
142nd District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Abbey Haslam
717.260.6222
ahaslam@pahousegop.com
RepFarry.com