Farnham's state pension stripped after child porn conviction
Former state Rep. Keith Farnham was stripped of his state pension today because the child pornography he was convicted of having was found on his state computer.
Farnham was sentenced to eight years in federal prison last month, which triggered a suspension of his more than $1,200 monthly benefit.
Wednesday, the panel that oversees lawmakers' pension plan voted unanimously to revoke his benefits.
The Elgin Democrat did not contest the decision in advance.
“The federal offense was in the course of his duties as a state representative,” state Sen. Don Harmon, an Oak Park Democrat, said. “Not a hard legal decision.”
Farnham left his post in the Illinois House last year after federal agents raided his home and office.
The panel also discussed how much of Farnham's personal contributions to the pension fund he should be refunded, should he apply to get them. He could be entitled to around $25,000, maybe more, if the state is unable to subtract the about $12,000 in benefits he's already been paid over the past year.