Taxpayers Get Stuck Again

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: (508)981-6511

July 13, 2010

FRANCO OUTRAGED OVER REINSTATEMENT OF DiMASI PENSION

Taxpayers Get Stuck Again

Worcester, MA…Today Paul Franco, Republican candidate for State Representative in the Thirteenth Worcester District, expressed outrage over the reinstatement of former Speaker Sal DiMasi’s pension.

According to various news reports, DiMasi was able to overturn in the Boson Municipal Court today the state pension board’s ruling to suspend his pension which means that the disgraced lawmaker will start collecting $5000 per month along with receiving $40,000 in back pay.

“If you cannot kick DiMasi off the pension, then who can you kick off?” asked Franco. “This is very disturbing. Taxpayers are once again funding for a politician who broke the public’s trust and had to resign due to corruption charges.”

“I am asking my Democrat opponents to join me in condemning this court ruling,” added Franco. “It is time to end the culture of corruption on Beacon Hill.”

DiMasi is expected to go on trial later this fall for taking money to steer a state contract to a software company.

Lieutenant Colonel Paul J. Franco just came off active duty as a US Army Reservist. He has been working as a Soldiers’ Counsel at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC, for the past year as a mobilized US Army Reservist. His duties were to represent those soldiers injured during the war to ensure they receive the appropriate amount of compensation before being medically retired or separated. Franco’s efforts were so successful that over 70-percent of the soldiers he represented received an increase in their benefits or managed to be retained in the Army.

On June 14th, he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal by the Northern Regional Medical Commander, Major General Carla Hawley-Bowland, for his “unwavering professionalism, commitment.”

Besides being an officer in the US Army Reserve since 1980, Franco has lived in Worcester for 22 years where he has practiced law. He has worked as an attorney with the Law Offices of Joseph J. Cariglia for the past 10 years. Franco has also been active within the community serving on the West Tatnuck Elementary Parents’ Advisory Council, Christ the King Church Parish Council, and as Director of Tee-ball and AA Boys Baseball Leagues for 2008-2009 with the Jesse Burkett Little League. He has also coached and served on the Board of Directors for the St. Peter’s Church basketball league and he has coached youth soccer in Worcester since 1994.

Franco has been married to Mary Ann Franco for nearly 27 years and they have six children, ranging in ages from eight to 25. All of his children are or have attended the Worcester Public Schools. Franco plans to use his leadership and experience in his military and law practice to help the Commonwealth make the tough decisions necessary to stimulate the economy, create jobs and improve the quality of life for his constituents.

###

Paid for by the Committee to Elect Paul Franco, 58 Wildrose Avenue, Worcester, MA 01602