(New York State Democratic chair June O'Neill issued a response, see attached document)
Senate candidate Dave Renzi says he did nothing improper in accruing state pension benefits through his part-time legal work for the town of Pamelia.
At a Thursday morning press conference he angrily attacked a
Watertown Daily Times story and said it was instigated by the Darrel Aubertine campaign.
The Times' banner story Thursday was headlined "Renzi got improper retirement credits."
This year the state comptroller has been revoking the service credit of attorneys who are classified as employees of municipalities, but in reality are independent contractors.
The enforcement included two members of Renzi's law firm - his brother Eugene and partner Paul Dierdorf, since retired.
"The state has changed the rules midstream," Renzi said.
"For 50 plus years attorneys and other state employees were given these types of benefits. And what I received was done appropriately."
Renzi said he wrote town officials in June, asking to be reclassified from town employee to independent contractor. However, he said it had nothing to do with the state comptroller's review.
Instead, he said, it was because his arrangement with the town was costing him money.
Renzi was making not only the employee but also the employer's contributions toward the pension under his employment with the town. Coupled with the expense of the family health insurance he was getting through the town, he was having to write the town a monthly check for more than $200, he said.
The candidate showed reporters a June 1 paycheck from the town showing net pay of $00.00.
Renzi also said it's not true that he needed the service credits with the town to become vested in the state retirement system. He already was, through previous employment as assistant D.A. and public defender for Jefferson County, Renzi said.
The
Times said it obtained documents about Renzi's employment with the town of Pamelia from the state Democratic committee, which had obtained them via a Freedom of Information Law request.
Renzi said that means Aubertines' fingerprints are all over the story.
"These are the same dirty tactics they used against Barclay in January. Then he says, 'shucks, I didn't do anything,'" Renzi said.
An Aubertine spokesman wasn't immediately available for comment. A response, however, came from New York State Democratic Chair June O'Neill.
"As an attorney who has worked for various levels of government, it's hard to imagine that Mr. Renzi was unaware that only town employees - not independent contractors - are eligible for retirement benefits," Mrs. O'Neill wrote.
The Times quoted a spokeswoman for the comptroller as saying Renzi's pension credit is still being reviewed, as all attorneys are who participate in the state retirement system.
Renzi said if his pension credit is revoked, the state will end up oweing him money. That's because he was paying not only the employee's contribution but also the employer's share under his arrangement with the town.
