Ex-officer in 8-year-old disability case still collects pay

SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (AP) – A former Rhode Island police officer who was denied a disability pension five times after filing appeals has received over $500,000 in pay despite not working as an officer since 2010.

WPRI-TV reports former South Kingstown Police Officer Damon Borrelli was injured in an on-duty crash and confrontation on March 20, 2010.

Borelli said he suffered a back injury and post-traumatic stress disorder, but the state retirement board ruled he doesn’t have a work-related disability.

Borrelli, who is now a lawyer, is allowed to earn full pay along with bonuses during his appeals of the board’s rulings, including his pending Superior Court appeal.

South Kingstown Town Manager Robert Zarnetske says the case has dragged on a long time and the police department has had to operate with one less officer.

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