BOSTON—Former Big Dig chief Michael Lewis was fired after his position was eliminated last year, and didn't retire as the state previously said.
The Boston Globe also reports Lewis' pension more than tripled because he was fired.
Lewis benefitted from a law that protects state workers from politically motivated dismissals.
Employees with more than 20 years of service get enhanced pensions if they prove they weren't fired for poor performance or malfeasance.
Lewis qualified because he was fired when his job at the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority was cut. The move increased his annual state pension from $23,000 to $72,578.
Lewis, now Rhode Island's transportation secretary, continued to call his departure a retirement when reached by the Globe.
But a Turnpike spokesman said he misspoke last year when he called Lewis' departure a retirement.
