Flashback 2003: Tom Curtis re: Montgomery and Petro

Letter to editor from Tom Curtis -

(Tom, what you said in 2003 is still true and appropriate! John)

Montgomery, Petro owe pension systems money for their lack of oversight
Sunday, November 23, 2003

It is my opinion that both state Auditor Betty Montgomery and Attorney General Jim Petro have failed the members of the five Ohio public retirement systems and Ohio taxpayers by providing little oversight concerning these systems, when, in fact, one or both has a representative seated on the board of each system. Consequently, the members and taxpayers paid for oversight, received none, and now are being told both state officials claim a conflict of interest in providing any further action. This is totally unbelievable! Not only have Montgomery and Petro failed to provide oversight for the pension systems, but to date, it appears they have failed to initiate any investigation into the extravagant spending practices by the caretakers of these funds. It is my opinion this needs to be determined. This can only be determined through a forensic audit of each system. So just what are they doing for us? Where have they been? What are they going to do? Who provides for their apparent lack of accountability? What consequences should they receive? At the very least, it would seem appropriate that the cost of having their representative on each board should be reimbursed to each system. When is this outrageous spending and the feeling of entitlement by these executives going to end? THOMAS CURTIS PLAIN TOWNSHIP