Embattled Suffolk Conservative leader Ed Walsh retired today from his day job as a sheriff's lieutenant and is eligible to collect his pension.

Walsh is currently facing federal charges for allegedly lying on his time sheets and stealing from the government. Under state law, he's still entitled to his full pension even if he's convicted.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo, along with the Democrat-controlled Assembly and Republican-controlled Senate, appeared to have a deal on pension forfeiture last year but it fell through.

A spokesperson for Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie says, "We're committed to passing a measure once again this year to strip pensions from corrupt public officials." 

Majority Leader John Flanagan of East Northport says the Senate has never changed its stance on the issue.



"We had an agreement, we honored it," says Flanagan. "We passed what was on the table at the time. If we need to, we'll do it again."

Under current state law, only public officials who assumed office after 2011 risk losing their pensions due to criminal activity.

Flanagan says the new bill would include all elected officials and other government employees convicted of official misconduct as well.

Walsh has pleaded not guilty in his case.