Kaen McCann (Shannon DeCelle)
Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver has let two of his top staffers double-dip courtesy of the taxpayers.
Both received hefty pensions after “retiring” last year, then collected a legislative salary when they were rehired this month, The Post has learned.
Karen McCann, 57, who was director of legislative services, received an estimated $81,000 annual pension upon retirement last November after nearly 33 years of state service. She was paid $130,624 last year — her final year’s salary for pension purposes.
But McCann’s back on the Capitol payroll — receiving a $2,555.64 biweekly paycheck.
A Post reporter spotted McCann in an office near the speaker’s, just behind the Assembly chamber. She declined comment and referred questions to the Assembly press office.
Bruce Strait, 60, who was director of bill index operations, also filed his retirement papers last year after nearly 37 years of state service. His final year’s salary was $106,028, and he receives an estimated pension of $72,000.
Strait now also receives a $1,636.06 biweekly salary on top of his pension.
“This is the political culture in Albany. People are allowed to come back after they’ve retired. These people are gaming the system, and the taxpayers are on the hook,” said Assemblyman Michael Fitzpatrick (R-LI).
Silver’s office defended the double-dipping as temporary.
“They are helping the new people who are taking over their positions. It’s part-time on a limited basis,” said Silver spokeswoman Sisa Moyo.
“We have a new session, a new administration. They were brought in to assist with the transition.”
Moyo noted that rules governing pensions bar McCann and Strait from earning more than $30,000 — unless the Assembly requests a waiver. She said that’s not going to happen.
But Fitzpatrick and other Assembly insiders questioned the “transition” defense.
Silver has been speaker for 17 years, and the Democratic majority staff has a reputation as a well-oiled operation.
“I find it hard to believe there isn’t a decent bench in the speaker’s office,” Fitzpatrick said.
Said another Assembly source: “What transition? That’s a crock. These people shuffle paper. They’re not manufacturing nuclear weapons.”