Thursday, July 4, 2013

2 council members hit into triple-‘pay’


They’re triple dippers.
Two City Council members have been in public service for so long, they’re collecting government pay from three sources — salary, pension and Social Security, according to newly released financial-disclosure forms.
Oliver Koppell (D-Bronx) — one of the wealthiest members of the City Council — and Karen Koslowitz (D-Queens) each collected income on top of their $122,500 council salaries.
Koppell took in as much as $60,000 in pension from his longtime gig as a state assemblyman, and between $5,000 and $44,000 in Social Security.
Oliver Koppell (pictured) — one of the wealthiest members of the City Council — and Karen Koslowitz each collected income on top of their $122,500 council salaries.
“I earned the income that I receive,” he said. “I spent 22 years in the state Assembly. I’m entitled to Social Security, since I’m 72 years old, and I work for the City Council. I have good fortune in that regard.”
Koslowitz took in between $60,000 and $100,000 in pension payouts last year for working a previous stint on the council and as Queens Deputy Borough President until she rejoined the council in 2010.
“I’m 71 years old, and when I left the borough president, I was able to collection my pension and I did,” she said. “It’s all legal. I was allowed to do it. I’m not going to be a millionaire from it.”
Koslowitz also earned between $5,000 and $44,000 in Social Security last year and has between $10,000 and $88,000 in credit card debt.
Council members are required to list income, debt and other personal finances to the Conflicts of Interest Board in broad ranges.

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