Board votes to reinstate Dimasi's pension

BOSTON (FOX 25 / MyFoxBoston.com) - The State Retirement Board has voted to repay suspended pension money a court says is owed to former Massachusetts House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi, but it's also appealing to clarify the law.

The board voted 3-2 today to pay DiMasi, who has pleaded not guilty to federal corruption charges.

State Treasurer Tim Cahill, who oversees the board, said it wants a higher court to clarify when it's appropriate to withhold state pensions of current or former state employees charged with crimes.

When the board suspended DiMasi's pension, it argued that the charges against him could prove a misappropriation of state funds.

Boston Municipal Court Judge Lawrence McCormick ruled that withholding DiMasi's $5,000-per-month payment was not warranted and jeopardized his ability to defend himself in the pending corruption case.