The Inspector General overseeing the NYPD has opened a probe into the disability pension system following the Daily News’ article about a retired cop who still receives his annual $82,069 disability pension even though he runs in distance races and works for a Florida sheriff’s department.
Investigators working for Inspector General Phillip Eure have visited the NYPD’s medical offices in Lefrak City, Queens asking questions about the disability program, a source told the News.
The investigation was sparked by the case of retired cop Christopher DePaolis, who obtained the lucrative tax free lifetime pension after hurting his knee, moved to Florida and started running.
Earlier this year, he went to work for the Broward County Sheriff’s Department at a $52,156 annual salary.
EDITORIAL: TAKE THE MONEY AND RUN
Nothing in the current rules prevents DePaolis from continuing to receive the special pension. Investigators plan to look for other similar cases.
“They want to see why these questionable cases get approved,” the source said. “It’s in its infancy.”
Eure is also looking at the feasibility of adding more staff to check on what retired officers are doing while receiving their pensions.
“The issue is that right now they only find out about these cases through dime-droppers,” the source said. “They haven’t been initiating their own investigations.”
The IG is also looking at how to change the city administrative code which lays down the rules, the source said.
Under the current law, retirees more than 20 years from their appointment date can work for any law enforcement agency outside New York State and still retain the disability pension.
Diane Struzzi, a spokeswoman for the Department of Investigation, for which Eure works, declined to comment.
Tim Hoefer, executive director of the Empire Center, called Eure’s inquiry “a good first step.” His organization is pursuing litigation to make information from the New York City Police Pension Fund available online.
Hoefer says he’ll continue to press for more transparency.
“This isn’t about a witchhunt,” he said. “We’re not after hard working police officers and firefighters that have legitimate claims. It’s about striking a balance between their rights and the rights of taxpayers.”
