Witness Dispute Delays Judge's Pension Hearing

TULSA, Okla. (AP) A hearing on whether former Creek County District Judge Donald Thompson will keep his state retirement pay is being delayed. <br/><br/>Thompson is appealing a decision by the Oklahoma

Wednesday, December 20th 2006, 8:04 am

By: News On 6

TULSA, Okla. (AP) A hearing on whether former Creek County District Judge Donald Thompson will keep his state retirement pay is being delayed.

Thompson is appealing a decision by the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System to withhold his benefits because of his conviction on four charges of indecent exposure. He's now serving four years in prison and retirement system officials say the convictions violate his oath of office.

During a hearing Tuesday a dispute arose over whether Thompson's wife; an attorney for the retirement system; and the system's director should be removed from the hearing because they might be called as witnesses.

Thompson's attorney then asked for a continuance so he could get permission for Thompson to attend the hearing.

The hearing was then postponed until January 10th.