© Neil M. O'LearyWATERBURY, CT (AP) -
Waterbury Mayor Neil M. O'Leary has bowed to public pressure and will now refuse his $91,000 annual city police pension that he said earlier this week he would accept, breaking a campaign promise last year to reject it.
The Republican American reported that O'Leary wrote to the newspaper and said he made the wrong decision. He apologized for what he called a "momentary lapse of judgment."
In announcing he would take the pension, O'Leary said had unexpected financial responsibilities and family obligations. He now says he will take out a loan to meet those requirements.
The pension would have supplemented his $119,000 annual salary.
After announcing he would take the pension, the mayor said his office received hundreds of phone calls. He said some were supportive, but many were not.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
