Patch's Poll: Should The 40 State Workers Get Their Jobs Back?

A group of state workers who left voluntarily, or were fired, last year amid allegations that they fraudulently got state assistance following Tropical Storm Irene were given their jobs back last week.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s administration accused 40 state workers — some earning more than $100,000 a year — of lying in order to obtain aid under the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program following the storm.

But the because they mistakenly filled out the assistance forms and didn’t intend to commit fraud.

"They exercised their due process rights, paid back the money received, were adequately disciplined and will be reinstated to their state positions," Sal Luciano, a union representative, told The Connecticut Mirror.

A number of Patch readers reacted to this news with criticism, so much so that .

So, do you think the arbitrator made the best decision in saying the workers should be reinstated? Take our poll and share your thoughts in the comments.