Former governor may lose pension under measure he signed into law
While still serving as governor of Virginia, Robert F. “Bob” McDonnell signed legislation that strips pensions from government workers convicted of a felony due to official misconduct.
Now he himself is feeling its sting.
Based on his 2014 corruption conviction, McDonnell should lose his pension under the law, the state’s current attorney general, Mark Herring, said in a Friday opinion. A hearing must first be conducted, and McDonnell could get his pension back if his conviction is reversed on appeal, according to the Daily Press.
However, the state doesn’t have to wait for McDonnell to exhaust his appeals before moving to eliminate his pension, Herring said.
If payments began this year, McDonnell would get roughly $3,900 monthly. Waiting until 65, assuming he doesn’t lose the pension, would up the ante to about $5,400.
At worst, even if he loses the pension, McDonnell could still get a refund of his own contributions, plus interest, the AG notes.
McDonnell, who won the governor’s office as a Republican, is also a former attorney general of Virginia.
Hat tip: Associated Press.
Updated on August 1 to add McDonnell’s political affiliation.
