MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - State Representative Curry Todd (R-Collierville) is one of four former Memphis city employees under fire. The City of Memphis says they must prove they're disabled or get back to work. All four men in question are over 60 years old and each has been collecting a disability pension for more than 20 years.
"It's scary when you're a 63-year-old man and they're telling you they're gonna take your pension away," said Al Tacker, a disabled former Memphis firefighter hurt on the job two decades ago and forced to retire.
Three back surgeries later, his pension has been recalled.
"Now they want to come back and make me look like I'm a sluff; I never missed a day on the job, I'm not a sluffer."
Tacker's pension is in jeopardy after an anonymous tipster called city hall saying he wasn't disabled.
"I can't work for an hour before I have to lay down and let my back rest," Tacker said.
The truth is this is the beginning of a review of all former employees receiving disability pensions.
Memphis Mayor A C Wharton noted, "Keep in mind we're spending taxpayer money and everyone asks us for accountability and were giving that to them."
Tacker says it's all smoke and mirrors.
More than a third of employees getting disability pensions are over 60-years-old, some are well into their 80's. That means if they weren't on disability they would be collecting a regular city pension.
"They'll come out looking like they are really doing something, knowing good and well the laws and rules and knowing there is no way to put us back to work now."
Tacker says paying for doctors to check the disability status of hundreds of former employees is a waste of taxpayer money and a disservice to employees hurt in the line of duty.
"I don't understand what they are doing to us, they just slapped us in the face like a used pile of tires, I guess."
Tacker hopes someone at city hall comes to their senses. In the meantime, he's preparing to prove he's disabled once again.
