Assemblywoman Jennifer Beck

BECK SAYS BRYANT'S PENSION REQUEST SHOULD BE
PUT ON ICE UNTIL FEDERAL PROBE COMPLETE

Assemblywoman Jennifer Beck today said State Senator Wayne Bryant's request to begin collecting his state pension should be put on ice until a federal probe regarding an alleged no-work job at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) is complete.Beck, R-Monmouth, said, "It is outrageous, yet not at all surprising that Senator Bryant would file for pension benefits while under federal investigation. This is exactly why this Legislature needs to pass comprehensive ethics reform legislation immediately, including a ban on double-dipping and forfeiture of pensions for public officials convicted of corruption."

Bryant, D-Camden, is accused in a federal monitor's report of pressuring UMDNJ officials to hire him for a post where he would lobby himself for state funding for the school. Bryant is accused of only showing up once a week for his $35,000 job and doing little but read the newspaper during those three hours he was at work. As a result of the federal investigation, he stepped aside from his post as Senate Budget Committee chairman.

Another newspaper also reported in October 2006 that Bryant routinely sent younger associates from his law firm to represent the Gloucester County Board of Social Services in Family Court. Bryant is paid $65,000 per year, and earns pension credits, as counsel for that agency. In addition, the Legislative Joint Committee on Ethical Standards is looking into possible ethics violations by the embattled state Senator.

It's been reported that Bryant's pension is based on a $170,492 salary, his average pay from four different public sector jobs he held over three years, including the Legislature, UMDNJ, Rutgers University and the Gloucester Board of Social Services.

Beck emphasized that any ethics reform legislation should apply to current public officials, not just those who are elected or appointed in the future.

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For more information, contact:
Assemblywoman Jennifer Beck/732-772-1571
Assembly Republican Office/609-292-5339