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San Mateo Supervisor Breaks Double Dip Promise, Collects Pension And Salary

SAN MATEO (KCBS)— When Don Horsley campaigned for the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors in 2010, he vowed not to take an additional six-figure salary from the county. He was already receiving a $215,000 a year pension from being retired as the longtime county sheriff. He's now gone back on that promise.

This week, Horsley's office released a statement that said he and his wife have begun paying for long-term medical care for her mother. Horsley now takes home a $120,000 paycheck in taxpayer-backed money from the county for his work as District 3 Supervisor.

San Mateo Supervisor Breaks Promise, 'Double Dips'; Collects Pension and Salary

Statewide pension reform efforts have included this type of "double-dipping," where public officials take home two paychecks at taxpayer's expense.

According to the San Jose Mercury News, who interviewed Horsley by phone, he defends himself by saying he went without the salary for two years and that he needs it more than the county now. At the time he made the pledge, the county was facing a $100 million deficit.

(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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