Kalish Getting a 60% Jump in Pension

Two days after Los Angeles Police Department Deputy Chief David Kalish was relieved of duty over allegations that he sexually abused under-age Explorer Scouts, he joined a deferred pension program that boosted his income by more than 60%, The Times has learned.

Kalish, one of the LAPD’s highest-ranking officers, was put on paid leave March 29 following a five-month investigation into allegations that he had molested teenage Explorer Scouts during the late 1970s.

Kalish, who makes at least $158,000 a year, will increase his annual income by at least $94,000 in deferred benefits, LAPD officials said. The city program is designed to retain experienced police and fire officials who otherwise are eligible for retirement.

The money, which is equal to his retirement pension, is paid each month into an interest-earning account that employees can spend at retirement. Los Angeles police and firefighters with more than 25 years of service are eligible for the program, which began last May. Employees who sign up must retire within five years.

“If it’s true and he [Kalish] entered into it, it appears that he qualifies for it,” said Capt. Jim Tatreau, a director of the Command Officers Assn. “But this is certainly not what the program was designed for.”

No matter what the outcome of Kalish’s criminal investigation, department officials said, he will receive the extra payments that began accruing Tuesday.

“With the way the [city] charter is written, we cannot stop him from doing this, as much as we might want to,” said LAPD Assistant Chief George Gascon.

Kalish could not be reached for comment.

Prosecutors are reviewing allegations that Kalish molested youths who worked as teenage police volunteers nearly three decades ago. The Los Angeles County district attorney’s office is considering whether to refer the Kalish investigation to a grand jury, according to law enforcement sources.

Six people allege that they were abused by Kalish, who last year was a candidate for police chief, law enforcement sources said. Three people contacted authorities after Kalish’s suspension became public Monday.

Kalish was one of 13 candidates for the chief’s job, and was considered one of the leading contenders from inside the LAPD. Openly gay, Kalish rose in a department that often has been accused of being homophobic and anti-female. William J. Bratton was named chief in October.

The commanding officer of West Bureau, Kalish was suspended after a five-month police investigation that began about the same time that a Santa Clarita man filed a civil complaint in October.

The man alleged that Kalish harassed, sexually molested and assaulted him during his time as an Explorer at the Devonshire Division station in the north San Fernando Valley. The Times is withholding his identity because he is the alleged victim of a sex crime.

Under California law, prosecution of very old claims of sexual abuse requires evidence of substantial sexual conduct and independent evidence that clearly corroborates the allegations. While investigating the initial claim, Los Angeles police found a second man who said he was molested by Kalish, law enforcement sources said. A third man contacted investigators, claiming that he too had been molested by Kalish, the sources said.

Chief Bratton said he forwarded the case to prosecutors because investigators concluded that there was substantial evidence of abuse.

Kalish enrolled in the LAPD’s Deferred Retirement Option Program on March 31, the same day Bratton announced that he had relieved Kalish of duty. LAPD officials said 495 officers had signed up as of March.

The LAPD does not disclose salaries of its officers, only the salary range. As a deputy chief, Kalish earns $158,000 to $177,000. According to LAPD officials, he would get a minimum of 61% of his salary at retirement -- $94,000 to $108,000.

Officers lose their salary 30 days after being charged with a crime, but retain their retirement benefits whether they are disciplined by the LAPD or convicted of a crime, officials said.