明尼阿波利斯——根据代表退休公务员的明尼苏达州机构,前明尼阿波利斯警官德里克·肖万有资格在退休后领取养老金,即使他被判杀害乔治·弗洛伊德。
肖万在5月25日乔治之死中被控二级谋杀、三级谋杀和过失杀人。逮捕的视频显示,白人肖万用膝盖压住戴着手铐的黑人乔治的脖子,持续了几分钟,弗洛伊德请求呼吸空气,最终停止了运动。乔治的死在全世界引发了抗议。
明尼苏达州公共雇员退休协会在一份声明中称,符合服务年限要求的前雇员有资格享受福利,无论他们是辞职还是被解雇。该机构援引州法律称,这些款项不受刑事指控或定罪的影响。
根据美国有线电视新闻网(CNN)获得的警察工资、薪水和合同信息,如果肖万选择在55岁开始领取救济金,他的年薪将达到5万美元或更多。肖万在明尼阿波利斯警察局工作了19年。
肖万的律师埃里克·尼尔森没有立即回复要求置评的电子邮件。
Officer charged in Floyd's death eligible for pension money
MINNEAPOLIS -- Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin is eligible to receive pension benefits during his retirement years even if he's convicted of killing George Floyd, according to the Minnesota agency that represents retired public workers.
Chauvin is charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder and manslaughter in the May 25 death of George. Video of the arrest shows Chauvin, who is white, using his knee to pin down the neck of George, who was black and handcuffed, for several minutes as Floyd pleaded for air and eventually stopped moving. George's death has sparked protests around the world.
The Minnesota Public Employees Retirement Association said in a statement that former employees who meet length-of-service requirements qualify for benefits regardless of whether they quit or are fired. Those payments are not affected by criminal charges or convictions, the agency said, citing state law.
A review of police payroll, salary and contract information obtained by CNN estimates that Chauvin's annual payments would be around $50,000 or more if he elected to begin receiving distributions at age 55. Chauvin was a member of the Minneapolis police force for 19 years.
Chauvin's attorney, Eric Nelson, did not immediately return an email request seeking comment.