Board to Appeal Reinstatement of Ex-Speaker’s Pension 

BOSTON (AP) — The state Retirement Board has voted to appeal a judge’s ruling that reinstated former Massachusetts House Speaker Thomas Finneran’s $34,000-a-year state pension.

The Boston Democrat, who served as speaker from 1996 to 2004, was convicted in 2007 on charges he falsely testified in a lawsuit over legislative redistricting.

A state judge earlier this month overturned the retirement board’s ruling that Finneran forfeited his pension because his conviction was related to his public duties.

The board’s executive director, Nick Favorito, said Thursday the judge’s ruling raises a number of “evolving” legal issues and that it would appeal.

Favorito also said the board would be willing to resume monthly pension payments to Finneran while the appeal is pending, but hold retroactive payments in escrow until the appeal is decided.