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Both Perez and Dunn, who have pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud and making false statements, are scheduled to be sentenced within the next two months, said Attorney General William Tong.
Tong made the announcement on Wednesday, Nov. 4, following the guilty pleas that involved a scheme to award Perez the Chief of Police position under false and fraudulent pretenses.
Perez currently receives a $102,072.36 annual pension through the Municipal Employees Retirement System. Dunn receives an $80,769.24 pension, that state's Attorney General's Office said.
“Perez and Dunn abused their positions for personal gain. As a police officer, A.J. Perez had the highest ethical duty to obey and respect the law, making his misconduct particularly unconscionable," said Tong. "State law requires that my office take action to revoke or reduce the pension of state or municipal officials convicted of corruption-related charges. Taxpayers should not pay for the pensions of public employees who violate the public trust."
Both Perez and Dunn resigned after being arrested on charges of defrauding the city by rigging the chief’s exam and making false statements during an investigation.
Under state statute enacted in 2008, the Attorney General is required to initiate a civil action seeking reduction or revocation of the pension of any state or municipal official who, in state or federal court, is convicted of or pleads guilty to a crime related to their state or municipal office on or after October 1, 2008, Tong said.
In determining whether to revoke the pensions, Tong said he is required to consider the severity of the crime; the amount of monetary loss; the degree of public trust reposed in the defendant; if the crime was part of a fraudulent scheme, the role of the defendant in the scheme; and any such other factors as, in the judgment of the court, justice may require.
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