Former Middlesex County Register of Probate John Buonomo, who faces up to 300 years in prison after pleading guilty to charges related to the theft of more than $100,00 in taxpayers’ and campaign fund money, may lose his Somerville pension.
Somerville’s Retirement Board voted to rescind the former alderman and mayoral candidate’s pension, said City Spokesman Tom Champion.
“State law says that if you are convicted of a crime that involves theft from a public agency or other serious violations of your oath of office, you can have your pension rescinded,” Champion said.
Champion said Buonomo, who is now a Newton resident, requested a hearing to appeal the decision. Buonomo will get his day in court, Champion said, but it could post a logistical problem.
State law says an appeal of a retirement board decision has to happen between 10 and 30 days of the decision. For Buonomo, that would make the earliest possible day he could appeal Nov. 9; the same day he is scheduled for sentencing for the theft charges.
“We’re working with his attorney and corrections officials to set up a hearing as soon as everybody’s schedules work,” Champion said, adding that, if necessary, the hearing will be held in jail. “He will absolutely get his hearing.”
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