Education Department officials yesterday hotly disputed City Comptroller Bill Thompson’s assertions that they were lax in allowing retired teachers to come back to work and collect salaries and pensions at the same time.
The Post revealed that Thompson’s audit of the Teachers Retirement System found that at least 75 teachers improperly “double-dipped” in 2005, to the tune of $846,925.
Department officials contend only 15 are improper.
“Of the 75 DOE staff found by the comptroller, information from TRS shows that 45 had not exceeded the allowable amount, and three came back to active service or left, leaving 27,” said Margie Feinberg, spokeswoman.
“Of the 27, TRS is recouping money as they should, since it is their responsibility. They have already started recouping from 12 of these people. So this is really about 15 people that TRS is going after,” she added.
Retired city workers under age 65 who decide to seek employment with other city agencies must get a waiver.
Thompson’s auditors found that none of the 75 had the required waivers.