If convicted Wright could keep pension

WILMINGTON — Even if state Rep. Thomas Wright is found guilty of the criminal charges he faces he will still be able to draw taxpayer dollars.

Wright is facing six criminal counts of fraud and eight charges of unethical conduct.

If convicted Wright will lose his general assembly salary, but he will remain eligible to receive his taxpayer financial state pension when he turns 65.

The general assembly tightened pension rules last summer, forcing legislators with fewer than five years of service to forfeit their pension if convicted of a political corruption or election felony charge.