State Assemblyman Greg Aghazarian of Stockton says he's shocked that Dunn, a convicted felon, is receiving such a hefty taxpayer subsidized retirement. Aghazarian has introduced a bill allowing the forfeiture of the taxpayer portion of retirement payments to public officials convicted of office-related felonies. A previous, similar measure failed, but Aghazarian believes his bill addresses the concerns of opponents.
"There's got to be a way to craft a piece of legislation so that if a public official violates the public trust they're no longer able to live off the public dole."
San Joaquin Supervisor Leroy Ornellas says he favors such a law, but he wants it to include options that protect innocent dependants.
"There's a lot of factors in play here. You have to take a look at the individual's family. Are they in need of that retirement?"
At least four other states have laws similar to the one proposed by Assemblyman Aghazarian.