HARTFORD, Conn. — The former president of Connecticut’s state university and community college system was paid at least $100,000 more than his salary in 13 months on the job, before resigning earlier this month amid a controversy over $250,000 in unauthorized raises.
Robert Kennedy received $75,000 from a contractual bonus and an un-vouchered expense account, and at least $25,000 in other reimbursements on top of his $340,000 salary, The Hartford Courant reported Sunday. The compensation was allowed under a contract negotiated by the governor’s office.
Kennedy is also eligible for another $20,000 in “deferred compensation,” despite his leaving the job.
Kennedy and a vice president of the college system, Michael Meotti, resigned on Oct. 12 after Kennedy admitted making a mistake when he awarded $250,000 in pay raises to staff over the past year without the Board of Regents’ permission or knowledge.
Messages were left for Kennedy on Sunday.
Kennedy was also criticized for a nearly nine-week absence from Connecticut during the summer, but is still expected to be paid more than $4,000 for nearly 27 hours of “accrued vacation,” the Courant reported, citing Kennedy’s contract and responses to a request under the state’s Freedom of Information Act.
Kennedy said he worked much of the summer from his summer home in Minnesota. He has said that he believed a contract provision for six weeks of “annual paid professional leave” allowed him to work remotely from the summer home.
