TRENTON, NJ — New legislation has been introduced in New Jersey aiming to mandate the forfeiture of pension benefits by public officials convicted of crimes linked to their office. Sponsored by Assemblywoman Aura K. Dunn of District 25, which includes Morris and Passaic counties, the bill seeks to expand current regulations governing pension forfeiture for corrupt elected and appointed officials.
The proposed law would require the board of trustees of any state or locally-administered pension fund to confiscate all earned service credits or pension benefits of members convicted of a crime during their tenure in public service. This applies regardless of whether the misconduct is related to the position specifically covered by the pension fund.
Currently, state law only allows for the forfeiture of pensions if the official is convicted of specific crimes directly related to their office or employment. However, the new bill would extend this provision to include any criminal misconduct that tarnishes their public service, thus broadening the scope of actions that can trigger pension loss.
The bill, which amends a law from 1995, emphasizes that receiving a public pension is “expressly conditioned upon the rendering of honorable service.” A key component of the bill is its definition of dishonorable service, which includes any misconduct, whether under state or federal law, that impacts the integrity of the public office held.
This legislative move comes as part of efforts to strengthen the accountability of public officials in New Jersey and ensure that public service remains a realm of honor and trust. The bill is currently in its introductory phase and awaits further discussion in legislative sessions.
- Pittsfield Police Investigate Fatal Shooting on Fenn Street
PITTSFIELD, MA - The Pittsfield Police Department is currently investigating the suspected homicide of Ryan P. Babcock, which occurred on the afternoon of Tuesday, June 11th, on the 500 block of Fenn Street.
Responding to a call at approximately 4:30 pm, police officers found Babcock unresponsive in the driver's seat of a vehicle, suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. Despite immediate life-saving attempts by paramedics, Babcock was pronounced dead at the scene.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the shooting was not random, and there is believed to be no immediate threat to the public. However, with no suspects currently identified, authorities are urging the community to remain alert and report any unusual activities.
The Berkshire District Attorney’s Office and the State Police Detective Unit are assisting with the ongoing investigation. Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to contact the Pittsfield Police Department.
- Man Injured in Baltimore Shooting
Baltimore, MD – The Northeastern District is investigating a shooting incident that occurred early this morning.
At approximately 6:15 a.m., officers responded to a hospital for reports of a walk-in shooting victim, but the victim had left before they arrived. Shortly after, at 6:45 a.m., officers were called to the 7000 block of McClean Boulevard, where they found a 34-year-old male victim with a graze wound to his arm.
The victim reported that the incident took place around 12:30 a.m. Detectives have located a crime scene and are continuing their investigation.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Northeastern District Detectives at 410-396-2444. Those wishing to remain anonymous can use the Metro Crime Stoppers tip line at 1-866-7LOCKUP or anonymously text a tip via the Metro Crime Stoppers of Maryland website.
- Montgomery County Police Celebrate Longview School Safety Patrol
Montgomery County, MD - The Montgomery County Police Department's Traffic Operations Division, Community Engagement Division, and 5th District Station celebrated the Safety Patrol students at Longview School.
Longview School, a public special education day school, provides comprehensive educational services to students aged 5 to 21 with severe to profound intellectual and/or multiple disabilities.
Officer J. Johnson from the School Safety Division developed a unique program enabling these children to participate in the Safety Patrol program.
The event recognized and honored the students for their outstanding year of service.
Congratulations to the Longview School Safety Patrol students on their achievements
- Police Investigating Suspicious Death of Galloway Woman
Atlantic City, NJ - The Atlantic City Police Department is conducting a death investigation following the discovery of a deceased woman on June 12.
At 10:11 AM, patrol officers responded to a report of a woman found at Hummock and Trinity Avenues. The Atlantic City Fire Department and patrol officers confirmed the woman, 34, from Galloway, NJ, was deceased upon arrival.
The circumstances surrounding her death are currently under investigation. The cause and manner of death are pending an autopsy by the Southern Regional Medical Examiner’s Office.
Anyone with additional information is urged to contact the Atlantic City Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Section at 609-347-5766. Tips can also be sent anonymously via text to tip411 (847411), beginning the text with ACPD.
- Hicksville Shop Sells Life-Changing Lottery Ticket
Hicksville, NY – The New York Lottery has announced that a second-prize-winning CASH4LIFE ticket worth $1,000 a week for life was sold in Hicksville for the June 12 drawing.
The winning ticket was purchased at Lovely Cards & Gifts, located at 416 S Oyster Bay Rd. This prize guarantees a minimum of $1,000,000.
CASH4LIFE numbers are drawn from a field of 1 to 60, with the Cash Ball drawn from a separate field of 1 to 4. Drawings take place daily at approximately 9 p.m. Lottery draw game prizes can be claimed up to one year from the date of the drawing.
- Bump Stocks Still Illegal in Maryland After Supreme Court Decision
BALTIMORE, MD—In a significant judicial decision, the United States Supreme Court has invalidated the 2018 federal rule by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) that classified bump stocks as machine guns under the National Firearms Act. Bump stocks are attachments that enable semiautomatic firearms to fire at speeds comparable to automatic weapons.
The rule was originally enacted following the 2017 Las Vegas shooting, the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history, where a gunman used a bump stock to kill 60 people at an outdoor concert. In response, Maryland passed a law in 2018 banning "rapid fire trigger activators," including bump stocks.
Attorney General Anthony Brown expressed disappointment in today's ruling, criticizing it as a regression in common-sense gun legislation. Last year, Brown was part of a coalition of 23 attorneys general who filed an amicus brief urging the Supreme Court to uphold the ban. He pledged to continue efforts to combat gun violence and advocate for stringent gun control measures.
Despite the Supreme Court's decision, the Maryland state law prohibiting bump stocks remains unaffected. The Maryland Attorney General's office is currently analyzing the implications of the Supreme Court's decision.