Scott Satchfield / Eyewitness News
NEW ORLEANS -- A federal jury found them guilty on multiple counts, but state law allows them to continue getting paid.
Some former NOPD officers convicted in the Danziger Bridge case are set to receive their pensions, something that doesn't sit well with state Sen. Conrad Appel, R-Metairie.
"It's rather outrageous that the people of Louisiana should pay pensions in perpetuity to people who have violated the trust of the people," Appel said. "It's just wrong."
According to a report by New Orleans City Business, Arthur Kaufman will receive a little more than $2,900 a month. Kenneth Bowen and Robert Gisevius get a little more than $2,000 each.
Last year, Appel tried to push a Constitutional Ammendment through to prohibit convicted felons from collecting state pensions, but, like other similar measures before it, the effort failed.
Had it passed, voters across the state would've had final say.
"I think if it ever gets to the public, it's not a question of if, it's just how quickly the mandate will be to change the law," said Rafael Goyeneche with the Metropolitan Crime Commission.
Goyeneche has also pushed for the change over the last few years. He believes it would serve as a deterrent against corruption for police officers and other public servants.
"I think it's only fair," he said. "Louisiana is behind the curve and I think that this legislation is long overdue."
But defense attorney Frank DeSalvo, who represented Kenneth Bowen during the Danziger trial, and represents the Police Association of New Orleans, believes those who want to take the pensions away are basing that opinion on emotions.
"You gotta look at these things objectively and reasonably and take emotion out of the picture," DeSalvo said. "I think, legally, they've earned the money and, legally, we don't have a right to take it away."
