Assemblyman David DiPietro (R,C – East Aurora) is sponsoring Assembly Bill 7173, which would create a constitutional amendment to force elected officials to forfeit their pension benefits should they be convicted of a felony relating to violating the public trust. The bill has been referred to the Codes Committee.

“As we wrap up my second year here in the Assembly, I feel comfortable saying I have never been in a more corrupt place,” DiPietro said. “The walls here ooze corruption. We have to stop side-stepping the issue as the FBI raids offices and the U.S. Attorney investigates. There is a real problem in state government. Forfeiting a public benefits package after a conviction is but a small step in the larger crusade in favor of public officer accountability. No one should be convicted of a felony for betraying the public trust and then have a taxpayer-funded vacation. Only Albany would think that’s acceptable.”