Four of five lawmakers arrested could receive pension if convicted

State Sen. Ward Crutchfield, 76, D-Chattanooga, would still collect a pension of $62,256 per year at his current level of service if he was convicted of a charge that he accepted more than $12,000 in bribes from undercover agents.

Former Democratic Memphis Sens. John Ford and Roscoe Dixon both have applied for their pensions. Ford will get about $30,000 a year, while Dixon will get $16,400. Bowers would receive a little more than $10,000 a year if she resigned and were to apply for her pension.

A 1993 Tennessee law prohibits legislators convicted of felonies from collecting their pensions, however because of when the law was passed, Crutchfield, Ford, Dixon and Sen. Kathryn Bowers are not affected. Only Rep. Chris Newton, R-Cleveland, will not receive his pension worth $8,820 if he were convicted.