Cuomo Central

Today's Wall Street Journal report accusing Mayor Bob Duffy of "double-dipping" is factually inaccurate and completely without merit. "Double-dipping" -- as defined by multiple sources -- is a process of "dual-office holding" in which public employees receive a pension “while being paid a salary for the same public office."

Mayor Duffy earned his pension following a long and distinguished record of service as a Police Officer and Chief of Police in Rochester -- a position from which he retired in June 2005, several months prior to being elected Mayor. "Double-dipping" occurs when a government official retires from one position and then is almost immediately rehired to the same or similar position in order to receive both a pension and a salary simultaneously for the same work, which is clearly not the case with respect to Mayor Duffy.

Here are the facts:

·   Mayor Duffy served honorably for 28 years in law enforcement and earned his pension.   

·   He started taking his pension after he retired from the force and it was his primary source of income prior to becoming  Mayor.

·   His pension is based on his base salary as Chief with no overtime.

·   As Mayor of Rochester, Duffy does not accrue any further pension benefits and is not eligible for a pension increase as a result of his current service.