Fired Department of Corrections Official Boosts Pension
Fired official gets paid "retirement":
Carrie Johnson, the former Assistant Commissioner of the state Department of Corrections, reportedly fired in September for misusing inmate labor, is now receiving a $71,508 annual pension.
Johnson, 58, was permitted to stay on the payroll for five extra weeks, secure an "early retirement," rather than a dismissal from her $116,277 per year position. Additionally, the former Assistant Commissioner bought an extra six years of pension eligibility for government work outside New Jersey, enabling her to retire with 34 years of service instead of the 28 she worked in this state, officials said.
State law allows employees to purchase pension credits, which cost Johnson $48,600. Treasury Department spokesman Tom Vincz said he couldn't calculate how much the change boosts Johnson's pension. An unofficial calculation by Gannett suggests the change adds about $12,800 a year.
Department officials insist favoritism played no role in the way Johnson was treated, but some observers found the details unusual. "The matter is under review," said Ivette Mendez, communications director for Gov. Corzine.
John Hagerty, a spokesman for the Division of Criminal Justice, said neither the ethics commission nor the Department of Corrections forwarded the case for investigation. State law governs the use of prison labor. "We can't investigate something we know nothing about," Hagerty said.
New Jersey Government
Carrie Johnson, the former Assistant Commissioner of the state Department of Corrections, reportedly fired in September for misusing inmate labor, is now receiving a $71,508 annual pension.
Johnson, 58, was permitted to stay on the payroll for five extra weeks, secure an "early retirement," rather than a dismissal from her $116,277 per year position. Additionally, the former Assistant Commissioner bought an extra six years of pension eligibility for government work outside New Jersey, enabling her to retire with 34 years of service instead of the 28 she worked in this state, officials said.
State law allows employees to purchase pension credits, which cost Johnson $48,600. Treasury Department spokesman Tom Vincz said he couldn't calculate how much the change boosts Johnson's pension. An unofficial calculation by Gannett suggests the change adds about $12,800 a year.
Department officials insist favoritism played no role in the way Johnson was treated, but some observers found the details unusual. "The matter is under review," said Ivette Mendez, communications director for Gov. Corzine.
John Hagerty, a spokesman for the Division of Criminal Justice, said neither the ethics commission nor the Department of Corrections forwarded the case for investigation. State law governs the use of prison labor. "We can't investigate something we know nothing about," Hagerty said.
New Jersey Government
