Friday, September 12, 2008

Fire Chief Facing Charges of Rape Resigns

Boston Deputy Fire Chief Peter Pearson, facing charges of rape and attempted rape, resigned yesterday and is seeking a pension that could pay him more than $75,000 a year.

Based on calculations of age, years of service, military history, and his three highest paid consecutive years of service, Pearson could receive at least $76,874 a year and as much as $91,459.

Pearson's attorney, Kevin J. Reddington of Brockton, said his client, a 23-year Fire Department member, had no choice but to resign and apply for his pension after receiving notice from the fire administration that his job was in jeopardy. Under the notice, which he received last week, he had 14 days to return to work or he could be fired.

"It appears what Peter has to do to protect his family and his loved ones is to submit the paperwork he did," Reddington said. "He's got many, many years of distinguished service, and he's entitled to retirement."

Pearson was arrested on Aug. 18 after a prostitute in Brockton alleged that he raped her weeks earlier while posing as a State Police officer and showing a gun. He was initially released on $50,000 cash bail.

Within a week, five other women made allegations that he raped or tried to rape them. In all, four of them said he showed a gun. Pearson has since been held under the state's dangerousness statute.

Pearson has been in jail since Aug. 22. He applied for a four-month leave of absence, but Fire Commissioner Roderick Fraser rejected the request.

Reddington said Pearson will contest the charges and is appealing his detention. But, he said, Pearson needed to resign and seek his pension once he received the letter.

Retirement pensions are calculated on a complex formula based on age, years of service, history in the military, and the three highest paid consecutive years of service. According to city records, Pearson received an average of $158,539 over the last three years.

The state Board of Retirement calculations said Pearson, 51, is eligible to receive at least $76,874 a year if he retires immediately.

An alternative is to collect a pension at a later time. If he chooses to collect a pension at age 65, he could receive more than $91,459 a year.

City retirement officials have said that employees convicted of criminal charges can have their pensions revoked if their employer petitions the Boston Retirement Board. The officials have said it is very unusual for the board to revoke pensions. It was not clear whether the crime has to be related to job duty.

Individuals who face losing their pensions do have the opportunity to appear before the retirement board and make a case for keeping their retirement benefits.

Steve MacDonald, a spokesman for the Fire Department, said he could not comment on Pearson's salary, saying the issue will go before the city Retirement Board, which must approve city employee retirements.


http://www3.whdh.com/news/articles/local/BO87698/

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