Former Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan is likely to retain her state pension despite her felony conviction and resignation. Despite her resignation as a circuit court judge, Dugan's pension remains secure due to state law. A spokesperson for the Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds, the state agency managing pensions, emphasizes that state law does not mandate pension forfeiture due to termination or criminal charges. The pension is an earned benefit based on an individual's contributions and eligibility, and cannot be revoked. However, there's a narrow exception to this rule, allowing the state to withhold pension money if a court issues a restitution order for felony theft and misconduct in office. Dugan's case does not fall under this exception, as her crime did not involve theft or misconduct in office. The amount of her pension is unknown, but the law protects it from being taken away. Dugan's defense team is preparing to appeal her conviction, and U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman has yet to schedule a sentencing date.
