The convicted former leader of the New York state Senate has filed the paperwork to begin collecting a state pension of up to $95,000 per year.
The office of the state comptroller confirmed on Tuesday that Long Island Republican Dean Skelos put in for his retirement benefits last week.
Earlier this month a jury found Skelos guilty of charges that he used his influence to arrange payments and jobs for his son Adam. Adam Skelos was also convicted.
The conviction automatically ousted Skelos from his legislative seat, but he remains eligible for benefits because of his 35 years of public service.
Lawmakers voted in 2011 to withhold pensions of corrupt officials, but that change doesn't apply to lawmakers or other officials who entered the state pension system before that year.
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