FILE – In this June 14, 2005, file photo, former Massachusetts House Speaker Thomas Finneran, center, walks past members of the media as he enters federal court in Boston. The Mass. Supreme Judicial Court is set to hear arguments in a long-running dispute over whether Finneran should be able to receive his retirement pension despite his criminal conviction for obstruction of justice. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)
BOSTON (AP) — The highest court in Massachusetts is set to hear arguments in a long-running legal battle over whether former House speaker Thomas Finneran should be able to collect his $34,000 annual pension despite his conviction on an obstruction of justice charge.
Finneran’s fall from grace began in 2003 when he lied about his role in a legislative redistricting plan.
The state Board of Retirement revoked Finneran’s government pension in 2012 after finding that his conduct was related to his public duties. But last year, a judge ordered his pension reinstated after concluding that Finneran was not acting in a public capacity when he gave false testimony in a lawsuit challenging the redistricting plan.
The Supreme Judicial Court will hear arguments Thursday.
About CapeCod.com NewsCenter
