Benefits March 16, 2004

WI Pension Calculation Designer Sentenced to Jail

March 16, 2004 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - The architect of Milwaukee County's pension plan payout system that would have awarded some state public officials millions has been sentenced to 60 days in jail.
Reported by

The former personnel chief for Milwaukee County, Gary Dobbert, pleaded no contest to a single felony charge of misconduct in public office and two misdemeanor counts of making false statements. He was accused of misleading county officials to smooth the way for approval of the pension plan to benefit himself and other high-ranking public officials, according to an Associated Press report.

With his plea, Dobbert did not admit guilt, but acknowledged that prosecutors had enough evidence to convict him.

Under the system, approved by county officials in November 2000, Dobbert stood to gaina $353,000 payout in addition to $5,300 in monthly payments. By comparison, before the new plan was implemented, Dobbert would have received a $5,900 monthly pension with no lump sum. This caused an uproar, leading to the resignation of the county’s chief executive (See Milwaukee County Exec Steps Down ) and other county officials in 2002 (See Pumped Pension Payouts Prompt Resignations ).

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