Staten Island's 'power couple' District Attorney and top judge are accused of double dipping into taxpayer funds by collecting government salaries AND pensions at the same time
- District Attorney Michael McMahon and Justice Judith McMahon continue to receive annual salaries in addition to hefty pensions
- The DA's yearly pay is $212K meaning his pension could total upwards of $127K
- The judge is receiving an annual salary of $210K plus a $122K pension
A Staten Island 'power couple' comprised of a district attorney and state Supreme Court justice have come under fire for discreetly filing for retirement while continuing to collect yearly salaries.
Michael McMahon, the district attorney of Richmond County, and Judith McMahon, a justice for the Supreme Court's 13th Judicial District, are being paid six figures while collecting hefty government pensions, according to public records.
The husband-and-wife duo are suspected to be pulling in more than $600,000 in collective gross income.
DA McMahon covertly retired on December 30, 2023, according to a payroll notice independently verified by DailyMail.com.
However, he remained the borough's chief prosecutor, with a subsequent payroll notice listing him as 'appointed' from January 2 to January 19.
Public records show his yearly salary as $212,800, meaning his annual pension, which has not been disclosed, could be upwards of $127,000.
Michael McMahon, the district attorney of Richmond County, and Judith McMahon, a district judge, have been accused of 'double dipping' into taxpayer funds (pictured together)
DA McMahon retired on December 30, 2023, but was sworn in for his third term on January 2. Records show his yearly salary is $212,800, meaning his annual pension could total upwards of $127,000
In a statement to the New York Post, a spokesperson for DA McMahon admitted that he retired last year and subsequently continued to serve as Staten Island’s highest-ranking law enforcement official.
'After 30-plus years in public service to the people of New York, DA McMahon submitted his retirement papers at the end of 2023 but of course continues to serve as Richmond County District Attorney,' the representative said.
'It’s quite frankly a no-brainer for those in public service, as not retiring when you are eligible puts your family at risk to receive no pension at all if you were to die.'
The district attorney's office declined to share the cost of his pension.
DA McMahon was officially sworn in for his third term on January 2 by none other than his wife. Photos from the ceremony show the pair beaming at each other.
The DA ran unopposed for re-election this past November, pitching himself as a 'common-sense Democrat' in a heavily red county.
'He’s pretty universally beloved,' a Staten Island Democratic operative told City & State last year. 'It is fascinating though – you would think any Republican with a pulse could win.'
Justice McMahon retired even earlier than her husband, effective December 31, 2022, according to public records.
She receives a $210,900 annual salary while collecting a $122,916 pension.
Justice McMahon, who retired in December 2022, receives a $210,900 annual salary while collecting a $122,916 pension, records show
The district attorney ran unopposed last November, advertising himself as a 'common-sense Democrat' in a deeply red county
The judge was caught up in a firestorm of controversy in 2017 when she was abruptly reassigned to a Manhattan courthouse following allegations of overstepping her administrative powers.
Clerk Michael Pulizotto had recorded her on several instances and later left his job after facing blowback from court officers, including one who deemed him a 'rat' in recordings.
After her husband was nominated by the local Democratic Party to run for district attorney in May 2015, this presented a conflict of interest.
As the court’s administrative judge, Justice McMahon oversaw both its civil section and its criminal section, which handles proceedings brought by the district attorney.
She relinquished her criminal duties to another judge and agreed to manage only civil cases. However, Pulizotto alleged this never panned out.
In a 32-page memo sent to the state Office of Court Administration, he accused Justice McMahon of a series of infractions.
The most damning were alleged orders to 'suppress' a Freedom of Information Act request in April 2016 and 'influence' a judge into granting a defense motion for a mistrial in one case.
The Staten Island district attorney's office denounced the claims as 'baseless' and wrote Pulizotto off as 'a disgruntled employee.' Justice McMahon was exonerated following an investigation.
A spokesperson conceded that DA McMahon, who was described by one Democratic operative as 'pretty universally beloved,' retired last year and subsequently continued to work
The couple live in a single-family home on Staten Island. Property records show it sold for $392,500 in 1988, but is now valued at more than $990,000.
The couple have faced calls to resign on social media from voters on both sides of the aisle.
'Another dirty Democrat. So what's new?' one New York City carpenter lambasted the district attorney on X, formerly Twitter.
'McMahon must go,' remarked a man in neighboring New Jersey.
'This is happening in CA too - should be illegal,' a California Democrat chimed in.
As per Title 28 of the United States Code, the federal statutory law governing the judicial system, it is possible for a retired judge to be assigned to active duty.
In this capacity, any retired circuit or district judge may be designated 'to perform such judicial duties within the circuit as he is willing and able to undertake.'
Furthermore, any justice or judge may 'retain the office but retire from regular active service' after meeting the age of retirement and service requirements - and, 'during the remainder of his or her lifetime, continue to receive the salary of the office,' as long as that person meets requirements laid out in the law.
DailyMail.com has reached out to DA McMahon and Justice McMahon's representatives for comment.
