NJ S1539

Public officers or employees convicted of crimes involving their office must reimburse the Attorney General, county prosecutor, or U.S. Attorney for prosecution costs, plus repay any publicly-funded legal representation they received.

Public officers or employees found at fault in civil matters related to their office who received publicly-funded legal defense must reimburse the public entity for those legal costs.

Pension benefits and retirement contributions in State-administered systems can be garnished to satisfy these legal expense liabilities or money judgments for theft/misuse of public funds.

The Division of Pensions and Benefits must seek IRS confirmation that State retirement plans remain federally qualified under this law; the pension garnishment provision automatically voids if the IRS determines it would disqualify the plans.

Public Defender representation costs are exempt from reimbursement requirements unless already recoverable under existing Public Defender law.