From the Boston Globe, Fox News:

Boston firefighter Albert Arroyo had been out of work for weeks and claiming disability benefits when he competed in a bodybuilding competition. His performance (left) was caught on video.

Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino has now called on the city’s Retirement Board to deny Arroyo’s disability pension.

Arroyo had presented the city with a doctor’s note saying he should be given accidental disability retirement because he is totally and permanently disabled as a result of an accident that no one witnessed, while visiting a firehouse where he was not assigned.

At the least, Arroyo’s injury claim and subsequent bodybuilding competition came at an awkward time. In mid-April, a federal grand jury issued scores of subpoenas to Boston firefighters as part of a criminal investigation into years of questionable disability injury claims by retired and active firefighters of all ranks.

Boston Globe editorial: A weight on the fire department

See also: A smoldering credibility problem, by Joan Vennochi

There are hardworking public employees who do their job and don’t try to game the system. There are public agencies, programs, and authorities that serve taxpayers well.

But the good is quickly forgotten when it runs up against the arrogance of an Albert Arroyo. He is the sorry poster child for a public sector that too often shows contempt for the public that underwrites it.

(Photo from the Boston Globe)

This entry was posted on Friday, July 18th, 2008 at 10:05 am and is filed under benefits, NOT2BEMISSED. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.