GOP allied group questions DFL lawmaker’s pension
A political group that backs Republicans is raising questions about a veteran DFL lawmaker and why it appears he is earning a public pension for work he does with a private foundation.
The Minnesota Jobs Coalition is calling for an investigation of state Rep. Joe Atkins, DFL-Inver Grove Heights to determine whether the salary and public benefits he receives from the Inver Grove Heights B.E.S.T. Foundation through the Inver Grove Heights School District is proper.
John Rouleau, the coalition’s executive director, said Monday that they asked the Public Employees Retirement Association of Minnesota to look into the matter.
Rouleau said a review of public documents showed an unusual compensation arrangement that paid Atkins as a public employee for work performed by the foundation. He said Atkins received $500,000 in salary and benefits as a public employee from 2001 to 2014.
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“It’s our belief that Rep. Atkins is participating in the Minnesota Public Employees Retirement Association pension plan while not being eligible to do so,” Rouleau said. “So at this point, we’re just requesting an investigation to verify that.”
Atkins is the executive director of the foundation, which raises money to provide college scholarships to local students. MPR News reported on his role earlier this year.
Atkins, who is serving his seventh term in the Minnesota House, denied any impropriety.
“I took a job 20 years ago that comes with benefits," Atkins said. “The way it got set up was that the district had payroll and an ability to handle paying it and doing benefits. So, the B.E.S.T. Foundation reimburses the school district for that.”
Atkins said he’s proud of his work with the foundation, which has helped 2,000 students go to college.
“It’s one of the highlights of my life,” he said.
The Minnesota Jobs Coalition previously raised questions about Gov. Mark Dayton's use of a state airplane in 2012 for political purposes. An investigation by the Legislative Auditor later found a violation of state law, because a campaign aide traveled with the governor.