Last week Wicomico County Executive Julie Giordano, County Council Members, and FOP President Scott Hamilton worked to settle a case that began almost two years ago. A Wicomico County Deputy who retired in 2020 and another who retired in 2021 filed a lawsuit against the County last year after the County refused to reverse deductions from their monthly pension payments. The Deputies alleged that their disability pension payments were being reduced each month because of a workman’s compensation settlement award they received before they were medically retired from the Sheriff’s Office.
On Nov. 14th Wicomico County Circuit, Judge Jackson ruled in favor of the retired Deputies and ordered the County to repay money wrongly collected. On Dec. 5th, during his last day in Office, former Acting County Executive John Psota ordered an attorney to file an appeal in the case. The next day, County Executive Giordano told the same attorney to withdraw the appeal. However, instead of doing so, the matter was brought to the attention of the Wicomico County Council.
After learning about the possibility of an appeal, FOP President Scott Hamilton met with several Council members and worked directly with Mrs. Giordano to help identify contract terms and benefits guaranteed by the pension plan. The efforts of all those involved resulted in the decision that the County would not pursue an appeal and repay the retired Deputies as ordered by the Judge.
The FOP is grateful that within their first month in Office, County Executive Giordano and the current County Council members were open to working together to resolve this issue. The cost of continuing the case through the appeal process would have resulted in more taxpayer funds being used to pay for attorney’s fees, which has now been prevented. The FOP members look forward to continuing to work together with our elected leaders in future contract negotiations.
Sounds like retribution. Glad they won.