PERAC Memo #41 - 2006: Ethics Commission Seminars
Ethics Commission Seminars
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This memo addresses growing concerns over ethical violations in public pension systems nationally and encourages retirement boards to proactively address ethics awareness among board members and staff. PERAC recommends—but does not mandate—that boards attend Ethics Commission seminars (held monthly at their Boston office or via community-hosted sessions) and provides contact information for enrollment, with PERAC's Compliance Officer Dana Mahoney available to help arrange sessions if needed. No formal compliance action is required, but boards are encouraged to take advantage of this training opportunity.
Full Text
Memorandum # 41/2006
M E M O R A N D U M
TO: All Retirement Boards
FROM: Joseph E. Connarton, Executive Director RE: Ethics Commission Seminars
DATE: October 19, 2006
The recent influx of ethical violations within the public pension fund community has promulgated a need to address this pressing issue with the retirement boards. As many of you are aware, there are several investigations currently ongoing investigating ethical dilemmas. A few of those public pension funds being investigated include:
San Diego > Illinois > Ohio
PERAC is committed to educating, and assisting the public pension fund boards, administrators and employees in understanding what may constitute an ethical predicament. We are therefore suggesting that all of the public retirement boards attend any number of the seminars presented by the Ethics Commission.
These seminars occur on a monthly basis at the Ethics Commission office at One Ashburton Place, Room 619, Boston, MA. Seating is limited and you should contact the Ethics Commission to enroll, at 617-371-9500. The Ethics Commission’s website provides a vast array of information regarding ethical issues and questions as well (www.mass.gov/ethics).
Further, the Ethics Commission has a schedule available on their website of communities that have requested seminars (www.mass.gov/ethics/Seminar_schedule.html). You may contact either the Ethics Commission or the communities hosting these seminars to ascertain if additional enrollment is available.
Dana Mahoney, PERAC’s Compliance Officer, will assist those retirement boards and the Ethics Commission to schedule seminars if needed.
PERAC is committed to working with the retirement systems in an effort to protect the retirement funds. It is only through continued diligence by all facets of the public pension fund community that we can remain resolute in ensuring the future of all Massachusetts public pension funds.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.