The Hatch Act Strikes Again

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Israel went on to beat Meyer soundly in the August primary—but soon afterward, Meyer sent Irving an email that opened, “Alan Israel said that he did the ‘right and honorable’ thing by resigning in July, but the attached documents show that he has been paid all along.”

The payroll documents Meyer had FOIAed did indeed show Israel getting regular checks from the county—even though he was no longer working. And that, too, violated the Hatch Act. “Although the Office of Special Counsel had earlier declared the case closed,” says spokesman Anthony Guglielmi, “we reopened investigation because we learned that Mr. Israel has not retired. Until Alan Israel actually retires, he’s in violation of the Hatch Act.”

“I emphatically disagree,” Israel responded in early October. “No, I’m not retired yet, and yes, I’m being paid for sick and vacation time I never used. But I’m not an active employee. I’m not going into the office. I’m not supervising anybody. But they make the rules, and I now have two weeks to remedy the conflict. So I have an appointment with the retirement office tomorrow, and my retirement starts effective this Saturday.”