Convicted Mass. librarian wants to keep pension

BEVERLY, Mass. -- The former director of the Beverly Public Library who pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography wants to keep his $31,000 annual public pension.

Thomas Scully has filed a lawsuit in Salem Superior Court claiming the city Retirement Board has no right to revoke his pension on the grounds of "moral turpitude."

Scully's suit filed Friday claims he would suffer "severe financial loss" if he loses his pension because he is unlikely to land another job in his field.

Scully's pension was approved in May 2005, after his arrest, but his lawyer tells The Salem News the decision can't be undone despite his subsequent conviction.

The board is investigating whether to revoke the pension.

Scully pleaded guilty in January and was sentenced to two years probation.

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