Here we go again

Where have we heard this before? A public official commits a crime that shames himself and his office and costs him his career and a huge chunk of his pension. But after a series of appeals, the pension is returned. It happened with former state Sen. Gene Stipe. Might it happen again with former Creek County District Judge Donald Thompson? In 2006, Thompson was convicted of four counts of indecent exposure for masturbating and using a penis pump during trials. The Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System revoked most of his pension, which stands at better than $97,000 per year. This week Thompson’s attorney argued that OPERS was out of line and that Thompson didn’t violate his oath of office. An administrative law judge is hearing the appeal and will make a recommendation to the OPERS board in January. Restoration of the pension after such revolting behavior by a man who was supposed to honor and uphold the law would indicate that in Oklahoma, anything goes.

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