Post by Logan on Mar 28, 2016 20:11:10 GMT -6
State Sen. Virgil Smith started serving his 10-month jail sentence today as punishment for shooting his ex-wife’s Mercedes-Benz, but he never resigned from his job as a legislator.
So, he will continue to receive his $71,685 annual salary plus benefits while serving time behind bars.
Smith, 36, D-Detroit, had agreed to resign from his job as part of a plea deal in the case, but then a judge said he didn’t have authority to impose that as a condition of sentence and took it out of the agreement.
Wayne County Circuit Judge Lawrence Talon said earlier this month that Smith could be expelled, voted out of office or resign, but requiring him to step down violates the state constitution.
Read more: www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/wayne/2016/03/28/state-sen-virgil-smith-hearing/82346318/
So, he will continue to receive his $71,685 annual salary plus benefits while serving time behind bars.
Smith, 36, D-Detroit, had agreed to resign from his job as part of a plea deal in the case, but then a judge said he didn’t have authority to impose that as a condition of sentence and took it out of the agreement.
Wayne County Circuit Judge Lawrence Talon said earlier this month that Smith could be expelled, voted out of office or resign, but requiring him to step down violates the state constitution.
Read more: www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/wayne/2016/03/28/state-sen-virgil-smith-hearing/82346318/