New effort begun to strip pensions from corrupt public officials

In response to scandals in Southern California cities including Bell, a second attempt was launched Friday to pass state legislation that would strip public officials of their pensions if they are convicted of a felony. 

Assemblyman Felipe Fuentes (D-Sylmar) is introducing a bill, two months after a similar measure by state Sen. Tony Strickland (R-Moorpark) stalled in committee. 

Current law strips pensions from officials elected on or after Jan. 1, 2006, if they are convicted of a felony, Fuentes said, adding that he wants to extend the sanction to those who took office before that date. 

"I believe that an elected official who is convicted of a felony -- particularly one that involves their official duties -– has abdicated their responsibility to the people they serve and should lose their right to a publicly funded pension," Fuentes said in a statement.

-- Patrick McGreevy in Sacramento