Evelyn Cuthbert to Lara Baker: Please answer the question!

From: Evelyn Cuthbert
To: Lara Baker
Sent: Thursday, January 19, 2006
Subject: RE: Lara Baker: Sidaway trial

Dear Ms Baker

You failed to answer the original question: Was the case continued this time because of Ms Sidaway's vacation plans--Yes or NO? If yes, Ms Sidaway certainly seems very afraid of her indictment and of the ability to successfully prosecute her case---NOT. She is vacationing--worry free. Many of us who are retired teachers and or their spouses can't afford vacations let alone getting free tickets to ball games, dinners, booze, and retirement parties on other people's money and God only knows what else.

I am still awaiting all the others who were going to be indicted for ethical violations at STRS. When or are there others still to be indicted--Yes or NO? Guess I shouldn't hold my breath--now should I?

I am hard pressed to believe that everything STRS does is good and done for the retirees. What I saw was greed, misspending and lavishness at our expense. I am skeptical with all the arrogance in giving bonuses like money grew on trees and then having someone like Dyer telling us to go to the movies less and eat out less because there was less money for the retirees. I am especially skeptical after hearing Herb say that the money belonged to the board to do with as they wished and believe me they did. The only changes made today at STRS were due to people like Dennis Leone and John Lazares who stuck their necks out and worked relentlessly with determined retirees to stop these practices. These changes were forced on the administration at STRS and not done on their own accord or of their own initiative. If many of the practices at STRS weren't unethical and illegal they should be. We also feel they were very immoral. The inspector general wanted to investigate STRS but our govenor who admittedly doesn't care what his constituents think of him wouldn't let that happen. I can only wonder why with 2 other state politicians seated on the board.

As for Mr. Dyer: we are all devastated as to the tap on the wrist for his unethical behavior and to get such a light sentence because his wife died was unbelievable. You stated your decision was based upon what you thought you could prove beyond a reasonable doubt. Could it have been made regarding the time it would have taken to obtain the information needed to prove it beyond a reasonable doubt? Sometimes it is a matter of time and asking the right questions needed to obtain this kind of information and a passionate ability to argue a case. If the case with Herb was so weak why prosecute it at all? It ended up being another joke and slap to the retirees.

Wonder how many people died because of the outrageous bonuses given to STRS employees for just doing their jobs further depleting the fund? Bonuses that continued despite all the loses in the investments at STRS and for years. Outrageous bonuses that were many times the yearly salaries of these poor teachers thus having to raise the premiums and health care deductibles making these poor teachers choose to delay or not get healthcare and or testing done because of the added outrageous cost. As you know, medical instituions nowadays don't have to accept payment plans--you can still be turned over to a collection agency even when making regular payments. They want you to charge your account to a credit card and make payments to them.

As for faith in the judicial system----I have NONE. I continually tell people to mobilize and vote these judges and prosecutors and any other politicians out that don't do their jobs and not to seek remedy in the judicial system unless you have deep pockets for high priced attorney fees who know how to play the law game. Many of us don't have that kind of money. What used to make sense no longer does. Laws are made to help the accused get the lightest judgment possible IF found guilty and at times barely none if plead and not for the victims they caused.

Evelyn Cuthbert
Wife of a retired teacher who must work after retirement thanks to Herb