Cashing In...4.14.2010

Last week, Jim Hummel called the police chief in Central Falls about a deal the chief made to ``retire'' and begin collecting a pension, while remaining on the job as chief, at a higher salary. Over the weekend, the chief put out a written press release reacting to our inquiry - but it didn't include all of the details. Hummel sat down with Mr. Moran on Tuesday for a wide-ranging interview - portions of which we are running on Wednesday, with a full Hummel Report that will include additional details on Thursday.

Watch our update on Chief Moran HERE.

Script

Hummel: ``After 25 years on the job, Police Chief Joseph Moran has put in for his retirement. But no gold watches of testimonial dinners. That's because Moran is not leaving.''

The Hummel Report began investigating the deal last month. The chief - who has 25 years on the job - was approved by the city's retirement board for a pension that will pay him 60 percent of his salary. But he also signed a new five-year contract to remain in the position of chief, with an increase what he was making before he retired.

That means the chief will now collect $48,000 a year in pension payments.
Plus $72,000 a year in salary.

For a total of $120,000 a year.

The city also cut him a check for $56,000 in unused sick time because he was quote: retiring.

Moran: I'm not going to cower down to some pressure because some people are not happy with a decision like this here.''

In a wide-ranging interview with The Hummel Report, Moran was unapologetic
- although he acknowledges there may be a public perception problem with the deal. He says in the long run, he is saving the city's taxpayers money.

Hummel: ``Some people have a hard time with your statement that you're saving the city money, when in effect you just received a check for $56,000 in unused sick time.''

Moran: ``That check there was due to me because of 180 days that I get paid by contract that was continued since the first day I got on the Police Department, a contractual issue and what happened was since I have 240 days on the books, I only get paid for 180. After that...for the past
13 or 15 years I haven't taken a sick day.''

Hummel: ``Do you take a lot of vitamin C? How do you not be sick in 15 years?
Moran: ``All you have to do is take a poll of the officers in the police station to find out if I'm here or not here and you'll find I'm here all different times.''

Moran did say part of his decision to put in for a retirement was based on a bill now pending in the General Assembly that would prevent public sector employees from cashing in on unused sick time as he did last month

Moran: ``People who work in the public we're always under scrutiny but the people in the private, nobody ever talks about the business doing well and them getting a check for $50,000 or $100,000 or one point something million dollars because their company done well, but because it affects a public individual, I'm scrutinized by the public as I have been for almost
26 years, plus another seven as a state rep.
Hummel: ``Nobody's twisting your arm to be in public life, right?''

Moran: ``No, no, no and I enjoy it and I'm going to do it today tomorrow and next week - five 10 more years.''

Hummel: ``And you'll be well paid for it.''

Moran: ``I don't know well paid, paid for what it is generated by the city of Central Falls. And I thank them every day. Because I enjoy working for
the city of Central Falls.

In Central Falls, Jim Hummel, for The Hummel Report.